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POPULAR    JUVENILE    BOOKS, 

Br  HORATIO  ALGER,  Jr. 


RAGGED    DICK    SERIES. 

Complete  in  Six  Volumes. 

I.  RAGGED  DICK;  or,  Street  Life  in  New  York. 

II.  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;  or,  The  Progress  of  Richard  Hunter. 

III.  MARK,  THE  MATCH  BOY. 

IV.  ROUGH  AND  READY;  or,  Life  Among  New  York  Newsboys. 
V.  BEN,  THE  LUGGAGE  BOY;  or,  Among  the  Wharves. 

VI.     RUFUS  AND  ROSE;  or,  The  Fortunes  of  Rough  and  Ready. 

Price,    $1.25  per  volume. 


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Price,   $1.25  per  volume* 


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To  be  completed  in  Six  Volumes. 

I.     LUCK  AND  PLUCK;  or,  John  Oakley's  Inheritance. 
II.     SINK  OR  SWIM;  or,  Harry  Raymond's  Resolve. 
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TATTERED    TOM    SERIES. 

To  be  completed  in  Six  Volumes. 

I.     TATTERED  TOM;    or,  The  story  of  a  Street  Arab.     (April, 

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II.     PAUL,   THE   PEDDLER;    or,   The   Adventures   of  a   Young 
Street  Merchant.     (In  November,  1871.) 

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mssm& 


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FAME  AND  FORTUNE; 


THE  PROGRESS  OF  RICHARD  HUNTER. 


HORATIO    ALGER,    Jr., 

AUTHOR   OP  "RAGGED   DICK,"  "FRANK'S  CAMPAIGN,"    "  PAtJL  PRESCOTT'S 
CHARGE,"  "CHARLIE  CODMAN'S  CRUISE,"  ETC. 


LORING,    Publisher, 

319  Washington   Street. 
BOSTON. 


Enured,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1868,  'uy 

A      K  .    t,  o  RING, 

In  t!ie  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Massa- 
chusetts. 


r- 

■—7 


So 

MY    FATHER, 

FROM     WHOM     I     HAVE    NEVER     FAILED    TO     RECEIVB 
LITERARY    SYMPATHY    AND    ENCOURAGEMENT, 

IS     DEDICATED. 


PEEFACE. 


"  Fame  and  Fortune,"  like  its  predecessor, 
"Ragged  Dick,"  was  contributed  as  a  serial  story 
to  the  "Schoolmate,"  a  popular  juvenile  maga- 
zine published  in  Boston.  The  generous  com- 
mendations of  the  first  volume  by  the  Press,  and 
by  private  correspondents  whose  position  makes 
their  approval  of  value,  have  confirmed  the  au- 
thor in  his  purpose  to  write  a  series  of  stories 
intended  to  illustrate  the  life  and  experiences  of 
the  friendless  and  vagrant  children  to  be  found 
in  all  our  cities,  numbering  in  New  York  alone 
over  twelve  thousand. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  different  volumes, 
the  requisite  information  will  be  gathered  from 
personal  observation  mainly,  supplemented,  how- 
ever, by  facts  communicated  by  those  who  have 
been  brought  into  practical  relations  with  the 
class  of  children  whose  lives  are  portrayed. 

vn 


VIII  PREFACE. 

The  volumes  might  readily  be  made  more 
matter-of-fact,  but  the  author  has  sought  to  de- 
pict the  inner  life  and  represent  the  feelings  and 
emotions  of  these  little  waifs  of  city  life,  and 
hopes  thus  to  excite  a  deeper  and  more  wide- 
spread sympathy  in  the  public  mind,  as  well  as 
to  exert  a  salutary  influence  upon  the  class  of 
whom  he  is  writing,  by  setting  before  tliem  in- 
spiring examples  of  what  energy,  ambition,  and 
an  honest  purpose  may  achieve,  even  in  their 
case. 

In  order  to  reach  as  large  a  number  of  these 
boys  as  possible,  the  publisher  is  authorized,  on 
application,  to  send  a  gratuitous  copy  of  the  two 
volumes  of  the  "Ragged  Dick  Series"  already 
issued,  to  any  regularly  organized  Newsboys' 
Lodge  within  the  United  States. 

New  York,  December,  1868. 


FAME  AND  FORTUNE ; 

OK,    THE 

PROGRESS   OF   RICHARD   HUNTER. 

CHAPTER    I. 

A  BOARDING-HOUSE   IN  BLEECKER   STREET. 

"  Well,  Fosdick,  this  is  a  little  better  than  our 
old  room  in  Mott  Street,"  said  Richard  Hunter, 
looking  complacently  about  him. 

"You're  right,  Dick,"  said  his  friend.  "This 
carpet's  rather  nicer  than  the  ragged  one  Mrs. 
Mooney  supplied  us  with.  The  beds  are  neat  and 
comfortable,  and  I  feel  better  satisfied,  even  if  we 
do  have  to  pay  twice  as  much  for  it." 

The  room  which  yielded  so  much  satisfaction  to 
the  two  boys  was  on  the  fourth  floor  of  a  board- 
ing-house in  Bleecker  Street.  No  doubt  many  of 
my  young  readers,  who  are  accustomed  to  elegant 

homes,  would  think  it  very  plain ;  but  neither  Rich 

9 


10  FAME  AND  FORTUNE',     OE,    THE  % 

ard  nor  his  friend  had  been  used  to  anything  as 
good.  They  had  been  thrown  upon  their  own  ex- 
ertions at  an  early  age,  and  had  a  hard  battle  to 
fight  with  poverty  and  ignorance.  Those  of  my 
readers  who  are  familiar  with  Richard  Hunter's  ex- 
periences when  he  was  "  Ragged  Dick,"  will  easily 
understand  what  a  great  rise  in  the  world  it  was 
for  him  to  have  a  really  respectable  home.  For 
years  he  had  led  a  vagabond  life  about  the  streets, 
as  a  boot-black,  sleeping  in  old  wagons,  or  boxes, 
or  wherever  he  could  find  a' lodging  gratis.  It  was 
only  twelve  months  since  a  chance  meeting  with  an 
intelligent  boy  caused  him  to  form  the  resolution 
to  grow  up  respectable.  By  diligent  evening  study 
with  Henry  Fosdick,  whose  advantages  had  been 
much  greater  than  his  own,  assisted  by  a  natural 
quickness  and  an  unusual  aptitude  for  learning,  he 
had,  in  a  year,  learned  to  read  and  write  well,  and 
had,  besides,  made  considerable  progress  in  arith- 
metic. Still  he  would  have  found  it  difficult  to  ob- 
tain a  situation  if  he  had  not  been  the  means  of 
saving  from  drowning  the  young  child  of  Mr.  James 
Rockwell,  a  wealthy  merchant  in  business  on  Pearl 


PROGBESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  11 

Street*  who  at  once,  out  of  gratitude  for  the  service 
rendered,  engaged  our  hero  in  his  employ  at  the 
unusual  compensation,  for  a  beginner,  of  ten  dol- 
lars a  week.  His  friend,  Henry  Fosdick,  was  in  a 
hat  store  on  Broadway,  but  thus  far  only  received 
six  dollars  a  week. 

Feeling  that  it  was  time  to  change  their  quarters 
to  a  more  respectable  portion  of  the  city,  they  one 
morning  rang  the  bell  of  Mrs.  Browning's  board- 
ing-house, on  Bleecker  Street. 

They  were  shown  into  the  parlor,  and  soon  a  tall 
lady,  with  flaxen  ringlets  and  a  thin  face,  came  in. 

"Well,  young  gentleman,  what  can  I  do  for 
you?"  she  said,  regarding  them  attentively. 

"  My  friend  and  I  are  looking  for  a  boarding- 
place,"  said  Henry  Fosdick.  "  Have  you  any  rooms 
vacant?" 

"What  sort  of  a  room  would  you  like?"  asked 
Mrs.  Browning. 

"  "We  cannot  afford  to  pay  a  high  price.  We 
Bhould  be  satisfied  with  a  small  room." 

"You  will  room  together,  I  suppose?" 

"Yes,  ma'am." 


12  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,   THE 

"I  have  a  room  vacant  on  the  third  floor,  quite 
a  good-sized  one,  for  which  I  should  charge  you 
seven  dollars  apiece.  There  is  a  room  on  the 
fourth  floor,  not  so  large,  which  you  can  have  for 
five  dollars  each." 

"I  think  we'll  look  at  that,"  said  Richard  Hunter. 

"  Very  well,  then  follow  me." 

Mrs.  Browning  preceded  the  hoys  to  the  fourth 
floor,  where  she  opened  the  door  of  a  neat  room, 
provided  with  two  single  beds,  a  good-sized  mirror, 
a  bureau,  a  warm  woollen  carpet,  a  washstand,  and 
an  empty  bookcase  for  books.  There  was  a  closet 
also,  the  door  of  which  she  opened,  showing  a  row 
of  pegs  for  clothing. 

"How  do  you  like  it?"  asked  Fosdick,  in  a  low 
voice,  turning  to  his  companion. 

"  It's  bully,"  said  Dick,  in  admiring  accents. 

I  may  as  well  say  here,  what  the  reader  will  find 
out  as  we  proceed,  that  our  hero,  in  spite  of  his 
advance  in  learning,  had  not  got  entirely  rid  of 
some  street  phrases,  which  he  had  caught  from  the 
companions  with  whom  he  had  for  years  associated. 

"  Five  dollars  is  rather  a  steep  price, '  said  Fos- 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD    HUNTER.  13 

dick,  in  a  low  voice.  "  You  know  I  don't  get  but 
six  in  all." 

"  I'll  tell  you  what,  Fosdick,"  said  Dick ;  "  it'll 
be  ten  dollars  for  the  two  of  us.  I'll  pay  six,  and 
3'ou  shall  pay  four.     That'll  be  fair,  -r-  won't  it  ? " 

"  No,  Dick,  I  ought  to  pay  my  half." 

"  You  can  make  it  up  by  helpin'  me  when  I  run 
against  a  snag,  in  my  studies." 

"  You  know  as  much  as  I  do  now,  Dick." 

"  No,  I  don't.  I  haven't  any  more  ideas  of  gram- 
mar than  a  broomstick.  You  know  I  called  '  cat ' 
a  conjunction  the  other  day.  Now,  you  shall  help 
me  in  grammar,  for  I'm  blessed  if  I  know  whether 
I'm  a  noun  or  an  adjective,  and  I'll  pay  a  dollar 
towards  your  board." 

"  But,  Dick,  I'm  willing  to  help  you  for  nothing. 
It  isn't  fair  to  charge  you  a  dollar  a  week  for  my 
help." 

"Why  isn't  it?  Aint  I  to  get  ten  dollars  a 
week,  and  shan't  I  have  four  dollars  over,  while 
you  will  only  have  two?  I  think  I  ought  to  give 
you  one  more,  and  then  we'd  be  even." 

"  No,  Dick ;  I   wouldn't  agree   to   that.      If  you 


14  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

insist  upon  it,  we'll  do  as  you  propose ;  but,  if  ever 
I  am  able,  I  will  make  it  up  to  you." 

"Well,  young  gentleman,  what  have  you  de- 
cided?" asked  Mrs.  Browning. 

"  We'll  take  the  room,"  said  Dick,  promptly. 

"  When  do  you  wish  to  commence? " 

"  To-day.     We'll  come  this  evening." 

"Very  well.  I  suppose  you  can  furnish  me  vtith 
references.    You're  iu  business,  I  suppose?" 

"  I  am  in  Henderson's  hat  and  cap  store, 
No. Broadway,"  said  Henry  Fosdick. 

"And  I  am  going  into  Eockwell  &  Cooper's, 
on  Pearl  Street,  next  Monday,"  said  Dick,  with  a 
sense  of  importance.  He  felt  that  this  was  very 
different  from  saying,  "  I  black  boots  in  Chatham 
Square." 

"  You  look  like  good  boys,"  said  Mrs.  Browning, 
"  and  I've  no  doubt  you're  honest ;  but  I'm  a  widow, 
dependent  on  my  boarders,  and  I  have  to  be  par- 
ticular. Only  last  week  a  young  man  went  off, 
owing  me  four  weeks'  board,  and  I  don't  suppose 
he'll  ever  show  his  face  again.  He  got  a  good 
salary,  too ;  but  he  spent  most  of  it  on  cigars  and 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  15 

billiards.  Now,  how  can  I  be  sure  you  will  pay  me 
your  board  regular?" 

"We'll  pay  it  every  week  in  advance,"  said 
Dick,  promptly.  "Them's  our  best  references," 
and  he  produced  his  bank-book,  showing  a  deposit 
of  over  one  hundred  dollars  to  his  credit  in  the 
savings  bank,  motioning  at  the  same  time  to 
Fosdick  to  show  his. 

"  You  don't  mean  to  say  you've  saved  all  that 
from  your  earnings?"  said  Mrs.  Browning,  sur- 
prised. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick,  "  and  I  might  have  saved  more 
if  I'd  begun  sooner." 

"  How  long  has  it  taken  you  to  save  it  up? " 

"About  nine  months.  My  friend  hasn't  saved 
so  much,  because  his  salary  has  been  smaller." 

"  I  won't  require  you  to  pay  in  advance,"  said 
Mrs.  Browning,  graciously.  "  I  am  sure  I  can  trust 
you.  Boys  who  have  formed  so  good  a  habit  of 
saving  can  be  depended  upon.  I  will  get  the  room 
ready  for  you,  and  you  may  bring  your  trunks  when 
you  please.  My  hours  are,  breakfast  at  seven,  lunch 
at  half-past  twdlve,  and  dinner  at  six." 


16  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"We  shan't  be  able  to  come  to  lunch,"  said  Fos- 
dick.     "Our  stores  are  too  far  off." 

"  Then  I  will  make  half  a  dollar  difference  with  each 
of  you,  making  nine  dollars  a  week  instead  of  ten." 

The  boys  went  downstairs,  well  pleased  with  the 
arrangement  they  had  made.  Dick  insisted  upon 
paying  five  dollars  and  a  half  of  the  joint  weekly 
expense,  leaving  three  and  a  half  to  Fosdick.  This 
would  leave  the  latter  two  dollars  and  a  half  out 
of  his  salary,  while  Dick  would  have  left  four  and 
a  half.  With  economy,  both  thought  they  could 
continue  to  lay  up  something. 

There  was  one  little  embarrassment  which  sug- 
gested itself  to  the  boys.  Neither  of  them  had  a 
trunk,  having  been  able  to  stow  away  all  their 
wardrobe  without  difficulty  in  the  drawers  of.  the 
bureau  with  which  their  room  in  Mott  Street  was 
provided. 

"  Why  are  you  like  an  elephant,  Fosdick?"  asked 
Dick,  jocosely,  as  they  emerged  into  the  street. 

"  I  don't  know,  I'm  sure." 

"  Because  you  haven't  got  any  trunk  except  what 
you  carry  round  with  you." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  17 

"We'll  have  to  get  trunks,  or  perhaps  carpet- 
bags would  do." 

"No,"  said  Dick,  decisively,  "it  aint  'spectoble 
to  be  without  a  trunk,  and  we're  going  to  be  'spect- 
able  now." 

"  Respectable,  Dick." 

"  All  right,  — respectable,  then.  Let's  go  and  buy 
each  a  trunk." 

This  advice  seemed  reasonable,  and  Fosdick  made 
no  objection.  The  boys  succeeded  in  getting  two  de- 
cent trunks  at  three  dollars  apiece,  and  ordered  them 
sent  to  their  room  in  Mott  Street.  It  must  be  re- 
membered by  my  readers,  who  may  regard  the  prices 
given  as  too  low,  that  the  events  here  recorded 
took  place  several  years  before  the  war,  when  ono 
dollar  was  equal  to  two  at  the  present  day. 

At  the  close  of  the  afternoon  Fosdick  got  away 

from  the  store  an  hour  earlier,  and  the  boys,  preceded 

by  an  expressman  bearing  their  trunks,  went  to  their 

new  home.    They  had  just  time  to  wash  and  comb 

their  hair,  when  the  bell  rang  for  dinner,  and  they 

went  down  to  the  dining-room. 

Nearly  all  the  boarders  were  assembled,  and  were 
2 


18  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

sitting  around  a  long  table  spread  with  a  variety  of 
dishes.  Mrs.  Browning  was  a  good  manager,  and 
was  wise  enough  to  set  a  table  to  which  her  boarders 
could  not  object. 

"  This  way,  if  you  please,  young  gentlemen,"  she 
said,  pointing  to  two  adjoining  seats  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  table. 

Our  hero,  it  must  be  confessed,  felt  a  little  awk- 
ward, not  being  used  to  the  formality  of  a  boarding- 
house,  and  feeling  that  the  eyes  of  twenty  boarders 
were  upon  him.  His  confusion  was  increased,  when, 
after  taking  his  seat,  he  saw  sitting  opposite  him,  a 
young  man  whose  boots  he  remembered  to  have 
blacked  only  a  week  before.  Observing  Dick's  look, 
"Mrs.  Browning  proceeded  to  introduce  him  to  the 
other. 

"Mr.  Clifton,"  she  said,  "let  me  introduce  Mr. 
Hunter  and  his  friend,  Mr.  Fosdick,  —  two  new 
members  of  our  family." 

Dick  bowed  rather  awkwardly,  and  the  young  man 
said,  "  Glad  to  make  your  acquaintance,  Mr.  Hunter. 
Your  face  looks  quite  familiar.  I  think  I  must  have 
seen  you  before." 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  19 

"  I  think  I've  seen  you  before,"  said  Dick. 

"  It's  strange  I  can't  think  where,"  said  the  young 
man,  who  had  not  the  least  idea  that  the  well-dressed 
boy  before  him  was  the  boot-black  who  had  brushed 
his  boots  near  the  Park  railings  the  Monday  previ- 
ous. Dick  did  not  think  proper  to  enlighten  him. 
He  was  not  ashamed  of  his  past  occupation ;  but  it 
was  past,  and  he  wanted  to  be  valued  for  what  he 
might  become,  not  for  what  he  had  been. 

"Are  you  in  business,  Mr.  Hunter?"  inquired  Mr. 
Clifton. 

It  sounded  strange  to  our  hero  to  be  called  Mr. 
Hunter ;  but  he  rather  liked  it.  He  felt  that  it 
sounded  respectable. 

"  I  am  at  Rockwell  &  Cooper's,  on  Pearl  Street," 
said  Dick. 

"  I  know  the  place.     It  is  a  large  firm." 

Dick  was  glad  to  hear  it,  but  did  not  say  that  he 
knew  nothing  about  it. 

The  dinner  was  a  good  one,  much  better  than  the 
two  boys  were  accustomed  to  get  at  the  eating-houses 
which  in  times  past  they  had  frequented.  Dick  no- 
ticed carefully  how  the  others  did,  and  acquitted  him- 


20  FAME  AND  FORTUNE /    OH,    THE 

self  quite  creditably,  so  that  no  one  probably  sus- 
pected that  he  had  not  always  been  used  to  as  good 
a  table. 

When  the  boys  rose  from  the  table,  Mrs.  Brown- 
ing said,  "  "Won't  you  walk  into  the  parlor,  young 
gentlemen  ?  "We  generally  have  a  little  music  after 
dinner.  Some  of  the  young  ladies  are  musical.  Do 
either  of  you  play  ?  " 

Dick  said  he  sometimes  played  marbles  ;  at  which 
a  young  lady  laughed,  and  Dick,  catching  the  infec- 
tion, laughed  too. 

"Miss    Peyton,  Mr.    Hunter,"  introduced    Mrs 
Browning. 

Miss  Peyton  made  a  sweeping  courtesy,  to  which 
Dick  responded  by  a  bow,  turning  red  with  em 
barrassment. 

"Don't  you  sing,  Mr.  Hunter?"  asked  the  young 
lady. 

.  "  I  aint  much  on  warblin',"  said  Dick,  forgetting 
for  the  moment  where  he  was. 

This  droll  answer,  which  Miss  Peyton  supposed  to 
be  intentionally  funny,  convulsed  the  young  lady 
with  merriment. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  21 

"  Perhaps  your  friend  sings  ?  "  she  said. 

Thereupon  Fosdick  was  alsov  introduced.  To 
Dick's  astonishment,  he  answered  that  he  did  a  little. 
It  was  accordingly  proposed  that  they  should  enter 
the  next  room,  where  there  was  a  piano.  The  young 
lady  played  some  well-known  melodies,  and  Fosdick 
accompanied  her  with  his  voice,  which  proved  to  be 
quite  sweet  and  melodious. 

"  You  are  quite  an  acquisition  to  our  circle,"  said 
Miss  Peyton,  graciously.  "  Have  you  boarded  in 
this  neighborhood  before  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Fosdick ;  "  at  another  part  of  the 
city." 

He  was  afraid  she  would  ask  him  in  what  street, 
but  fortunately  she  forbore. 

In  about  half  an  hour  the  boys  went  up  to  their 
own  room,  where  they  lighted  the  gas,  and,  opening 
their  trunks,  placed  the  contents  in  the  bureau- 
drawers. 

"  Blessed  if  it  don't  seem  strange,"  said  Dick,  "  for 
a  feller  brought  up  as  I  have  been  to  live  in  tbis 
style,  I  wonder  what  Miss  Peyton  would  have  said 
if  she  had  known  what  I  had  been." 


22  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  You  haven't  any  cause  to  be  ashamed  of  it,  Dick, 
It  wasn't  a  very  desirable  business,  but  it  was  honest. 
Now  you  can  do  something  better.  You  must  adapt 
yourself  to  your  new  circumstances." 

"  So  I  mean  to,"  said  Dick.  I'm  going  in  for  re- 
spectability. "When  I  get  to  be  sixty  years  old,  I'm 
goin'  to  wear  gold  spectacles  and  walk  round  this 
way,  like  the  old  gentlemen  I  see  most  every  day 
on  Wall  Street." 

Dick  threw  his  head  back,  and  began  to  walk 
round  the  room  with  a  pompous  step  and  an  air  of 
great  importance. 

"  I  hope  we'll  both  rise,  Dick ;  we've  got  well 
started  now,  and  there've  been  other  boys,  worse  off 
than  we  are,  who  have  worked  hard,  and  risen  to 
Fame  and  Fortune." 

"  We  can  try,"  said  Dick.  "  Now  let  us  go  out 
and  have  a  walk." 

"  All  right,"  said  Fosdick. 

They  went  downstairs,  and  out  into  the  street. 
Accustomed  to  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  there  was  a 
novelty  in  the  evening  aspect  of  Broadway,  with  its 
shops  and  theatres  glittering  with  light.     They  saun- 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  23 

tered  carelessly  along,  looking  in  at  the  shop-win- 
dows, feeling  more  ani  more  pleased  with  their 
change  of  location.  All  at  once  Dick's  attention  was 
drawn  to  a  gentleman  accompanied  by  a  boy  of  about 
his  own  size,  who  was  walking  a  little  in  advance. 

"  Stop  a  minute,"  he  said  to  Fosdick,  and  hurrying 
forward  placed  his  hand  on  the  boy's  arm. 

"  How  are  you,  Frank?  "  he  said. 

Frank  Whitney,  for  it  was  he,  turned  in  some 
surprise  and  looked  at  Dick,  but  did  not  at  first 
recognize  in  the  neat,  well-dressed  boy  of  fifteen  the 
ragged  boot-black  he  had  encountered  a  year  before. 

"  I  don't  think  I  remember  you,"  he  said,  survey- 
ing Dick  with  a  puzzled  expression. 

"  Perhaps  you'd  remember  me  better  if  I  had  on 
my  Washington  coat  and  Napoleon  pants,"  said  our 
hero,  with  a  smile.  He  felt  rather  pleased  to  find  he 
was  not  recognized,  since  it  was  a  compliment  to  his 
improved  appearance. 

"  What ! "  exclaimed  Frank,  his  face  lighting  up 
with  pleasure,  "  is  it  possible  that  you  are  —  " 

*'  Richard  Hunter,  at  your  service,"  said  our  hero  ; 
"but  when  you  knew  me  I  was  Ragged  Dick." 


24  FAME  AND  FOETVNE /    OR,    THE 


CHAPTER    II. 

INTRODUCTION    TO    MERCANTILE    LIFE. 

Frank  Whitney  was  indeed  surprised  to  find  the 
ragged  boot-black  of  a  year  before  so  wonderfully 
changed.  He  grasped  Dick's  hand,  and  shook  it 
heartily. 

"  Uncle,"  he  said,  "  this  is  Dick.  Isn't  he 
changed  ?  " 

"  It  is  a  change  I  am  glad  to  see,"  said  Mr.  Whit- 
ney, also  extending  his  hand  ;  "  for  it  appears  to  be  a 
change  for  the  better.  And  who  is  this  other  young 
man?" 

"  This  is  my  private  tutor,"  said  Dick,  presenting 
Fosdick, —  "Professor  Fosdick.  He's  been  teachin' 
me  every  evenin'  for  most  a  year.  His  terms  is 
very  reasonable.  If  it  hadn't  been  for  him,  I  never 
should  have  reached  my  present  high  position  in  lit- 
erature and  science." 

"  I  am  glad  to  make  your  acquaintance,  Professor 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  25 

Fosdick,"  said  Frank,  laughing.  "  May  I  inquire 
whether  my  friend  Dick  owes  his  elegant  system  of 
pronunciation  to  your  instructions  ?  " 

"  Dick  can  speak  more  correctly  when  he  pleases," 
said  Fosdick  ;  "  but  sometimes  he  falls  back  into  his 
old  way.  He  understands  the  common  English 
branches  very  well." 

"  Then  he  must  have  worked  hard  ;  for  when  I  first 
met  him  a  year  ago,  he  was —  " 

"As  ignorant  as  a  horse,"  interrupted  Dick.     "  It 
was  you  that  first  made  me  ambitious,  Frank.    I 
wanted  to  be  like  you,  and  grow  up  'spectable." 
"  .Respectable,  Dick,"  suggested  Fosdick. 
"  Yes,  that's  what  I  mean.    I  didn't  always  want  to  * 
be  a  boot-black,  so  I  worked  hard,  and  with  the  help 
of  Professor  Fosdick,  I've  got  up  a  little  way.    But 
I'm  goin'  to  climb  higher." 

"lam  very  glad  to  hear  it,  my  young  friend,"  said 
Mr.  Whitney.  "It  is  always  pleasant  to  see  a  young 
man  fighting  his  way  upward.  In  this  free  country 
there  is  every  inducement  for  effort,  however  unprom- 
ising may  be  the  early  circumstances  in  which  one  is 
placed.     But,  young  gentlemen,  as  my  nephew  would 


26  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

be  glad  to  speak  further  with  you,  I  propose  that  we 
adjourn  from  the  sidewalk  to  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel, 
where  I  am  at  present  stopping." 

"  Yes,  Dick,"  said  Frank,  "you  and  Professor  Fos- 
dick  must  spend  the  evening  with  me.  I  was  intend- 
ing to  visit  some  place  of  amusement,  but  would  much 
prefer  a  visit  from  you." 

Dick  and  Fosdick  readily  accepted  this  invitation, 
and  turned  in  the  direction  of  the  St.  Nicholas,  which 
is  situated  on  Broadway,  below  Bleecker  Street. 

"  By  the  way,  Dick,  where  are  your  Washington 
coat  and  Napoleon  pants  now  ?  " 

"  They  were  stolen  from  my  room,"  said  Dick,  "  by 
somebody  that  wanted  to  appear  on  Broadway  dressed 
in  tip-top  style,  and  hadn't  got  money  enough  to  pay 
for  a  suit." 

"  Perhaps  it  was  some  agent  of  Barnum  who  de- 
sired to  secure  the  valuable  relics,"  suggested  Frank. 

"  By  gracious !"  said  Dick,  suddenly,  "  there  they 
are  now.  It's  the  first  time  I've  seen  'em  since  they 
was  stolen." 

He  pointed  to  a  boy,  of  about  his  own  size,  who  was 
coming  up  Broadway.    He  was  attired  in  the  well- 


PROGRESS   OF  BICnAIiD   HUNTER.  27 

remembered  coat  and  pants  ;  but,  alas  !  time  had  not 
spared  them.  The  solitary  remaining  coat-tail  was 
torn  in  many  places  ;  of  one  sleeve  but  a  fragment  re- 
mained ;  grease  and  dirt  nearly  obliterated  the  origi- 
nal color ;  and  it  was  a  melancholy  vestige  of  what  it 
had  been  once.  As  for  the  pantaloons,  they  were  a 
complete  wreck.  When  Dick  had  possessed  them  they 
were  well  ventilated  ;  but  they  were  now  ventilated  so 
much  more  thoroughly  that,  as  Dick  said  afterwards, 
"  a  feller  would  be  warmer  without  any." 

"  That's  Micky  Maguire,"  said  Dick  ;  "  a  partic'lar 
friend  of  mine,  that  had  such  a  great  'fection  for  me 
that  he  stole  my  clothes  to  remember  me  by." 

"  Perhaps,"  said  Fosdick,  "  it  was  on  account  of 
his  great  respect  for  General  Washington  and  the 
Emperor  Napoleon." 

"  What  would  the  great  Washington  say  if  he 
could  see  his  coat  now  ?  "  said  Frank. 

"  When  I  wore  it,"  said  Dick,  "  I  was  sorry  he 
was  so  great,  'cause  it  prevented  his  clothes  fitting 
me." 

It  may  be  necessary  to  explain  to  those  who  are 
unacquainted  with  Dick's  earlier  adventures,  that  the 


4 

28  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

clothes  in  which  he  was  originally  introduced  were 
jocosely  referred  to  by  him  as  gifts  from  the  illustri- 
ous personages  whose  names  have  been  mentioned. 

Micky  Maguire  did  not  at  first  recognize  Dick. 
When  he  did  so,  he  suddenly  shambled  down  Prince 
Street,  fearful,  perhaps,  that  the  stolen  clothes  would 
be  reclaimed. 

They  had  now  reached  the  St.  Nicholas,  and  en- 
tered. Mr.  Whitney  led  the  way  up  to  his  apart- 
ment, and  then,  having  a  business  engagement  with  a 
gentleman  below,  he  descended  to  the  reading-room, 
leaving  the  boys  alone.  Left  to  themselves,  they 
talked  freely.  Dick  related  fully  the  different  steps 
in  his  education,  with  which  some  of  our  readers  are 
already  familiar,  and  received  hearty  congratulations 
from  Frank,  and  earnest  encouragement  to  perse- 
vere. 

"  I  wish  you  were  going  to  be  in  the  city,  Frank," 
said  Dick. 

"  So  I  shall  be  soon,"  said  Frank. 

Dick's  face  lighted  up  with  pleasure. 

"That's  bully,"  said  he,  enthusiastically.  "How 
soon  are  you  comin'  ?  " 


PhOGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  29 

"  I  am  hoping  to  enter  Columbia  College  next  com- 
mencement. I  suppose  my  time  will  be  a  good  deal 
taken  up  with  study,  but  I  shall  always  find  time  for 
you  and  Fosdick.  I  hope  you  both  will  call  upon 
me." 

Both  boys  readily  accepted  the  invitation  in  ad 
vance,  and  Dick  promised  to  write  to  Frank  at  his 
boarding-school  in  Connecticut.     At  about  half  past 
ten,  the  two  boys  left  the  St.  Nicholas,   and  went 
back  to  their  boarding-house. 

After  a  comfortable  night's  sleep,  they  got  up 
punctually  to  the  seven  o'clock  breakfast.  It  con- 
sisted of  beefsteak,  hot  biscuit,  potatoes,  and  very 
good  coffee.  Dick  and  Fosdick  did  justice  to  the 
separate  viands,  and  congratulated  themselves  upon 
the  superiority  of  their  present  fare  to  that  which 
they  had  been  accustomed  to  obtain  at  the  restau- 
rants. 

Breakfast  over,  Fosdick  set  out  for  the  hat  and  cap 
store  in  which  he  was  employed,  and  Dick  for  Rock- 
well &  Cooper's  on  Pearl  Street.  It  must  be  con- 
fessed that  he  felt  a  little  bashful  as  he  stood  in  front 
of  the  large  warehouse,  and  surveyed  the  sign.     He 


30  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

began  to  feel  some  apprehensions  that  he  would  not 
be  found  competent  for  his  post.  It  seemed  such  a 
rise  from  the  streets  to  be  employed  in  such  an  im- 
posing building.  But  Dick  did  not  long  permit 
timidity  to  stand  in  his  way.  He  entered  the  large 
apartment  on  the  first  floor,  which  he  found  chiefly 
used  for  storing  large  boxes  and  cases  of  goods. 
There  was  a  counting-room  and  office,  occupying  one 
corner,  partitioned  off  from  the  rest  of  the  depart- 
ment. Dick  could  see  a  young  man  through  the 
glass  partition  sitting  at  a  desk ;  and,  opening  the 
door,  he  entered.  He  wished  it  had  been  Mr.  Rock- 
well, for  it  would  have  saved  him  from  introducing 
himself ;  but  of  course  it  was  too  early  for  that  gentle- 
man to  appear. 

"What  is  your  business?"  inquired  the  book- 
keeper, for  it  was  he. 

"  I've  come  to  work,"  said  Dick,  shortly,  for  some- 
how he  did  not  take  much  of  a  fancy  to  the  book- 
kneper,  whose  tone  was  rather  supercilious. 

**  Oh,  you've  come  to  work,  have  you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  have,"  said  Dick,  independently. 

"I    don't    think    we    shall    need    your    valuable 


PROGRESS  OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  31 

services,"  said  the  book-keeper,  with  something  of  a 
sneer.  The  truth  was,  that  Mr.  Rockwell  had  neg- 
lected to  mention  that  he  had  engaged  Dick. 

Dick,  though  a  little  inclined  to  be  bashful 
when  he  entered,  had  quite  got  over  that  feeling  now. 
He  didn't  intend  to  be  intimidated  or  driven  away  by 
the  man  before  him.  There  was  only  one  doubt  in 
his  mind.  This  might  be  Mr.  Cooper,  the  second 
member  of  the  firm,  although  he  did  not  think  it  at 
all  probable.  So  he  ventured  this  question,  "  Is  Mr. 
Rockwell  or  Mr.  Cooper  in  ?  " 

"  They're  never  here  at  this  hour." 

"  So  I  supposed,"  said  Dick,  coolly. 

He  sat  down  in  an  arm-chair,  and  took  up  the 
morning  paper. 

The  book-keeper  was  decidedly  provoked  by  his 
coolness.  He  felt  that  he  had  not  impressed  Dick 
with  his  dignity  or  authority,  and  this  made  him 
angry. 

"Bring  that  paper  to  me,  young  man,"  he  said; 
"  I  want  to  consult  it." 

"  Very  good,"  sail  Dick  ;  "you  can  come  and  get 
it." 


32  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  I  can't  compliment  you  on  your  good  manners," 
said  the  other. 

"  Good  manners  don't  seem  to  be  fashionable 
here,"  said  Dick,  composedly. 

Apparently  the  book-keeper  did  not  want  the 
paper  very  particularly,  as  he  did  not  take  the  trouble 
to  get  up  for  it.  Dick  therefore  resumed  his  reading, 
and  the  other  dug  his  pen  spitefully  into  the  paper, 
wishing,  but  not  quite  daring,  to  order  Dick  out  of 
the  counting-room,  as  it  might  be  possible  that  he 
had  come  by  appointment. 

"  Did  you  come  to  see  Mr.  Rockwell?"  he  asked, 
at  length,  looking  up  from  his  writing. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick. 

" Did  he  tell  you  to  come?" 

"  Yes." 

"What  was  that  you  said  about  coming  to 
work  ?  " 

"  I  said  I  had  come  here  to  work." 

"Who  engaged  you ? " 

"  Mr.  Rockwell." 

"  Oh,  indeed  !  And  how  much  are  you  to  receive 
for  your  valuable  services?  " 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  33 

"  You  are  very  polite  to  call  my  services 
valuable,"  said  Dick.     "  I  hope  they  will  be." 

"  You  haven't  answered  ray  question." 

"  I  have  no  objection,  I'm  sure.  I'm  to  get  ten 
dollars  a  week." 

"  Ten  dollars  a  week ! "  echoed  the  book-keeper, 
with  a  scornful  laugh.  "  Do  you  expect  you  will 
earn  that  ?  " 

"No,  I  don't,"  said  Dick,  frankly. 

"You  don't!"  returned  the  other,  doubtfully. 
"Well,  you're  more  modest  than  I  thought  for. 
Then  why  are  you  to  get  so  much  ? " 

"Perhaps  Mr.  Rockwell  will  tell  you,"  said 
Dick,  "if  you  tell  him  you're  very  particular  to 
know,  and  will  lose  a  night's  rest  if  you  don't 
find  out." 

"  I  wouldn't  give  you  a  dollar  a  week." 

"  Then  I'm  glad  I  aint  goin'  to  work  for  you." 

"  I  don't  believe  your  story  at  all.  I  don't  think 
Mr.  Rockwell  would  be  such  a  fool  as  to  overpay  you 
so  much." 

"P'r'aps  I  shouldn't  be  the  only  one  in  thG 
establishment  that  is   overpaid,"  observed  Dick. 


34  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OB,    THE 

"  Do  you  mean  me,  you  young  rascal?  "  demanded 
the  book-keeper,  now  very  angry. 

"  Don't  call  names.     It  isn't  polite." 

"  I  demand  an  answer.  Do  you  mean  to  say  that 
I  am  overpaid  ?  " 

"Well,"  said  Dick,  deliberately,  "if  you're  paid 
anything  for  bein'  polite,  I  should  think  you  was 
overpaid  considerable." 

There  is  no  knowing  how  long  this  skirmishing 
would  have  continued,  if  Mr.  Rockwell  himself  had 
not  just  then  entered  the  counting-room.  Dick  rose 
respectfully  at  his  entrance,  and  the  merchant,  recog- 
nizing him  at  once,  advanced  smiling  and  gave  him 
a  cordial  welcome. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  my  boy,"  he  said.  "  So 
you  didn't  forget  the  appointment.  How  long  have 
you  been  here  ?  " 

"  Half  an  hour,  sir." 

"  I  am  here  unusually  early  this  morning.  I  came 
purposely  to  see  you,  and  introduce  you  to  those 
with  whom  you  will  labor.  Mr.  Gilbert,  this  is  a 
young  man  who  is  going  to  enter  our  establishment. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  35 

His  name  is  Richard  Hunter.  Mr.  Gilbert,  Richard, 
is  our  book-keeper." 

Mr.  Gilbert  nodded  slightly,  not  a  little  surprised 
at  his  employer's  cordiality  to  the  new  boy. 

"  So  the  fellow  was  right,  after  all,"  he  thought. 
"  But  it  can't  be  possible  he  is  to  receive  ten  dollars 
a  week." 

"  Come  out  into  the  ware-room,  and  I  will  show 
you  about,"  continued  Mr.  Rockwell.  "  How  do  you 
think  you  shall  like  business,  Richard?" 

Dick  was  on  the  point  of  saying  "  Bully,"  but 
checked  himself  just  in  time,  and  said  instead,  "  Very 
much  indeed,  sir." 

"  I  hope  you  will.  If  you  do  well  you  may  de- 
pend upon  promotion.  I  shall  not  forget  under  what 
a  heavy  obligation  I  am  to  you,  my  brave  boy." 

What  would  the  bookkeeper  have  said,  if  he  had 
heard  this? 

"  How  is  the  little  boy,  sir?  "  asked  Dick. 

"  Very  well,  indeed.  He  does  not  appear  even  to 
have  taken' cold,  as  might  have  been  expected  from 
his  exposure,  and  remaining  in  wet  clothes  for  some 
time." 


36  FAME   AND    FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"lam  glad  to  hear  that  he  is  well,  sir." 

"  You  must  come  up  and  see  him  foi  yourself, 
Richard,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell,  in  a  friendly  manner. 
"  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  become  good  friends  very 
soon.  Besides,  my  wife  is  anxious  to  see  and  thank 
the  preserver  of  her  boy." 

"  I  shall  be  very  glad  indeed  to  come,  sir." 

"  I  live  at  No. Madison  Avenue.  Come  to- 
morrow evening,  if  you  have  no  engagement." 

"  Thank  you,  sir." 

Mr.  Rockwell  now  introduced  Dick  to  his  head 
clerk  with  a  few  words,  stating  that  he  was  a  lad  in 
whose  welfare  he  took  a  deep  interest,  and  he  would 
be  glad  to  have  him  induct  him  into  his  duties,  and 
regard  with  indulgence  any  mistakes  which  he  might 
at  first  make  through  ignorance. 

The  head  clerk  was  a  pleasant-looking  man,  of  mid- 
dle age,  named  Murdock ;  very  different  in  his  manners 
and  bearing  from  Mr.  Gilbert,  the  book-keeper. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  he  said,  "  I  will  take  the  young  man 
under  my  charge  ;  he  looks  bright  and  sharp  enough, 
and  I  hope  we  may  make  a  business  man  of  him  in 
course  of  time." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD    HUNTER.  37 

That  was  what  Dick  liked.  His  heart  always 
opened  to  kindness,  but  harshness  always  made  him 
defiant. 

"  I'll  try  to  make  you  as  little  trouble  as  possible, 
sir,"  he  said.  "  I  may  make  mistakes  at  first,  but 
I'm  willin'  to  work,  and  I  want  to  work  my  way  up." 

"  That's  right,  my  boy,"  said  Mr.  Murdock.  «« Let 
that  be  your  determination,  and  I  am  sure  you  will 
succeed." 

"Before  Mr.  Murdock  begins  to  instruct  you  in 
your  duties,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell,  "you  may  go  to  the 
post-office,  and  see  if  there  are  any  letters  for  us. 
Our  bos  is  No.  5,670." 

"  All  right,  sir,"  said  Dick  ;  and  he  took  his  hat  at 
once  and  started. 

He  reached  Chatham  Square,  turned  into  Printing 
House  Square,  and  just  at  the  corner  of  Spruce  and 
Nassau  Streets,  close  by  the  Tribune  Office,  he  saw 
the  familiar  face  and  figure  of  Johnny  Nolan,  one  of 
his  old  associates  when  he  was  a  boot-black. 

"  How  are  you,  Johnny?  "  he  said. 

"Is  that  you,  Dick?"  asked  Johnny,  turning 
round.     "  Where's  your  box  and  brush?  " 


d8  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    1HE 

"  At  home." 

"  You  haven't  give  up  business,  —  have  you?  " 

"  I've  just  gone  into  business,  Johnny." 

"  I  mean  you  aint  give  up  blackin'  boots, — have 
you?" 

"  All  except  my  own,  Johnny.  Aint  that  a  good 
shine  ?  "  and  Dick  displayed  his  boot  with  something 
of  his  old  professional  pride. 

"  What  you  up  to  now,  Dick?  You're  dressed  like 
a  swell." 

"  Oh,"  said  Dick,  "  I've  retired  from  shines  on  a 
fortun',  and  embarked  my  capital  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits.   I'm  in  a  store  on  Pearl  Street." 

"What  store?" 
-"  Rockwell  &  Cooper's." 

"  How'd  you  get  there?  " 

"  They  wanted  a  partner  with  a  large  capital,  and 
so  they  took  me,"  said  Dick.  "  We're  goin'  to  do  a 
smashin'  business.  We  mean  to  send  off  a  ship  to 
Europe  every  day,  besides  what  we  send  to  other 
places,  and  expect  to  make  no  end  of  stamps." 

"What's  the  use  of  gassin',  Dick?  Tell  a  feller 
now." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  39 

"  Honor  bright,  then,  Johnny,  I've  got  a  place  at 
ten  dollars  a  week,  and  I'm  goin'  to  be  'spectable. 
Why  don't  you  turn  over  a  new  leaf,  and  try  to  get 
up  in  the  world  ?  " 

"  I  aint  lucky,  Dick.  I  don't  half  the  time  make 
enough  to  live  on.  If  it  wasn't  for  the  Newsboys' 
Lodgin'  House,  I  don't  know  what  I'd  do.  I  need  a 
new  brush  and  box  of  blacking,  but  I  aint  got  money 
enough  to  buy  one." 

"  Then,  Johnny,  I'll  help  you  this  once.  Here's 
fifty  cents  ;  I'll  give  it  to  you.  Now,  if  you're  smart 
you  can  make  a  dollar  a  day  easy,  and  save  up  part 
of  it.  You  ought  to  be  more  enterprisin',  Johnny. 
There's  a  gentleman  wants  a  shine  now." 

Johnny  hitched  up  his  trousers,  put  the  fifty  cents 
in  his  mouth,  having  no  pocket  unprovided  with 
holes,  and  proffered  his  services  to  the  gentleman  in- 
dicated, with  success.  Dick  left  him  at  work,  and 
kept  on  his  way  down  Nassau  Street.  * 

"A  year  ago,"  he  thought,  "I  was  just  like 
Johnny,  dressed  in  rags,  and  livin'  as  I  could.  If  it 
hadn't  been  for  my  meetin'  with  Frank,  I'd  been  just 
the  same  to  day,  most  likely.     Now  I've  got  a  good 


40  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

place,  and  some  money  in  the  bank,  besides  'risto- 
cratic  friends  who  invite  me  to  come  and  see  them. 
Blessed  if  I  aint  afraid  I'm  dreamin'  it  all,  like  the 
man  that  dreamed  he  was  in  a  palace,  and  woke  up 
to  find  himself  in  a  pigpen." 


uilifi  .  ,„, 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  41 


CHAPTER    III. 


AT  THE   POST-OFFICE. 


The  New  York  Post-Office  is  built  of  brick,  and 
was  formerly  a  chuich.  It  is  a  shabby  building, 
and  quite  -unworthy  of  so  large  and  important  a 
city.  Of  course  Dick  was  quite  familiar  with  its 
general  appearance ;  but  as  his  correspondence  had 
been  very  limited,  he  had  never  had  occasion  to 
ask  for  letters. 

There  were  several  letters  in  Box  5,670.  Dick 
secured  these,  and,  turning  round  to  go  out,  his 
attention  was  drawn  to  a  young  gentleman  of 
about  his  own  age,  who,  from  his  consequential  air, 
appeared  to  feel  his  own  importance  in  710  slight 
degree.  He  recognized  him  at  once  as  Roswell 
Crawford,  a  boy  who  had  applied  unsuccessfully 
for  the  place  which  Fosdick  obtained  in  Hender- 
son's hat  and  cap  store. 

Roswell  recognized  Dick  at  the  sam&  time,  una 


42  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

perceiving  that  our  hero  was  well-dressed,  con- 
cluded to  speak  to  him,  though  he  regarded  Dick 
as  infinitely  beneath  himself  in  the  social  scale,  on 
account  of  his  former  employment.  He  might  not 
have  been  so  condescending,  but  he  was  curious  to 
learn  what  Dick  was  about. 

"  I  haven't  seen  you  for  some  time,"  he  said,  in 
a  patronizing  tone. 

"  No,"  said  Dick,  "  and  I  haven't  seen  you  for 
some  time  either,  which  is  a  very  curious  coinci- 
dence." 

"How's  boot-blacking,  now?"  inquired  Roswell, 
with  something  of  a  sneer. 

"Tip-top,"  said  Dick,  not  at  all  disturbed  by 
Ros well's  manner.  "I  do  it  wholesale  now,  and 
have  been  obliged  to  hire  a  large  building  on  Pearl 
Street  to  transact  my  business  in.  You  see  them 
letters?    They're  all  from  wholesale  customers." 

"  I  congratulate  you  on  your  success,"  said  Ros- 
well, in  the  same  disagreeable  manner.  "  Of  course 
that's  all  humbug.     I  suppose  you've  got  a  place." 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick. 

"  Who  are  you  with?  " 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUJSTER.  43 

"  Rockwell  &  Cooper,  on  Pearl  Street." 

"How  did  you  get  it?"  asked  Roswell,  appear- 
ing surprised.  "  Did  they  know  you  liad  been  a 
boot-black?" 

*'  Of  course  they  did." 

'•  I  shouldn't  think  that  they  would  have  taken 
you." 

"Why  not?" 

"  There  are  not  many  firms  that  would  hire  a  boot- 
black, when  they  could  get  plenty  of  boys  from  nice 
families." 

"  Perhaps  they  might  have  secured  your  services 
if  they  had  applied,"  said  Dick,  good-humoredly. 

"  I've  got  a  place,"  said  Roswell,  in  rather  an 
important  manner.  "  I'm  very  glad  I  didn't  go  into 
Henderson's  hat  and  cap  store.  I've  got  a  better 
situation." 

"Have  you?"  said  Dick.  "I'm  glad  to  hear  it. 
I'm  always  happy  to  hear  that  my  friends  are  risin' 
in  the  world." 

"  You  needn't  class  me  among  your  friends,"  said 
Roswell,  superciliously. 

"  No,  I  won't,"  said  Dick.     "  I'm  goin'  to  be  par- 


44  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;     OX,    THE 

ticular  about  my  associates,  now  that  I'm  gettin'  up 
in  the  world." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  insult  me?"  demanded  Eoswell, 
haughtily. 

"  No,"  said  Dick.  "  I  wouldn't  on  any  account. 
I  should  be  afraid  you'd  want  me  to  fight  a  duel,  and 
that  wouldn't  be  convenient,  for  I  haven't  made  my 
will,  and  I'm  afraid  my  heirs  would  quarrel  over  my 
extensive  property." 

"  How  much  do  you  get  a  week?"  asked  Eoswell, 
thinking  it  best  to  change  the  subject. 

"  Ten  dollars,"  said  Dick. 

"Ten  dollars!"  ejaculated  Eoswell.  "That's  a 
pretty  large  story." 

"  You  needn't  believe  it  if  you  don't  want  to," 
said  Dick.  "  That  won't  make  any  difference  to  me 
as  long  as  they  pay  me  reg'lar." 

"  Ten  dollars !  Why,  I  never  heard  of  such  a 
thing,"  exclaimed  Eoswell,  who  only  received  four 
dollars  a  week  himself,  and  thought  he  was  doing 
well. 

"  Do  you  think  I'd  give  up  a  loocrative  business 
for  less?"  asked  Dick.     "How  much  do  you  get?" 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  45 

"That's  my  business,"  said  Roswell,  who,  for 
reasons  that  may  be  guessed,  didn't  care  to  mention 
the  price  for  which  he  was  working.  Judging  Dick 
by  himself,  he  thought  it  would  give  him  a  chance  to 
exult  over  him. 

"  I  suppose  it  is,"  said  Dick ;  "  but  as  you  was  so 
partic'lar  to  find  out  how  much  I  got,  I  thought  I'd 
inquire." 

"You're  trying  to  deceive  me  ;  I  don't  believe  you 
get  more  than  three  dollars  a  week." 

"  Don't  you  ?    Is  that  what  you  get  ? " 

"  I  get  a  great  deal  more." 

"  I'm  happy  to  hear  it." 

"  I  can  find  out  how  much  you  get,  if  I  want  to." 

"  You've  found  out  already." 

"  I  know  what  you  say,  but  I've  got  a  cousin  in 
Rockwell  &  Cooper's." 

"Have  you?"  asked  Dick,  a  little  surprised. 
"Who  is  it?" 

"  It  is  the  book-keeper." 

"Mr.  Gilbert?" 

"  Yes  ;  he  has  been  there  five  years.  I'll  ask  him 
about  it." 


46  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    Oil,    THE 

"You'd  better,  as  you're  so  anxious  to  find  out. 
Mr.  Gilbert  is  a  friend  of  mine.  He  spoke  only  this 
morning  of  my  valooable  services." 

Roswell  looked  incredulous.  In  fact  he  did  not 
understand  Dick  at  all ;  nor  could  he  comprehend 
his  imperturbable  good-humor.  There  were  several 
things  that  he  had  said  which  would  have  offended 
most  boys  ;  but  Dick  met  them  with  a  careless  good- 
humor,  and  an  evident  indifference  to  Roswell's 
good  opinion,  which  piqued  and  provoked  that 
young  man. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  while  this  conversa- 
tion was  going  on  the  boys  were  standing  in  the 
post-office.  Dick  understood  his  dutj'  to  his  em- 
ployers too  well  to  dela}'  unnecessarily  while  on  an 
•  errand,  especially  when  he  was  sent  to  get  letters, 
some  of  which  might  be  of  an  important  and  urgent 
nature. 

The  two  boys  had  been  walking  up  Nassau  Street 
together,  and  they  had  now  reached  Printing  House 
Square. 

"  There  are  some  of  your  old  friends,"  said  Ros- 
well, pointing  to  a  group  of  ragged  boot-blacks,  who 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  47 

were  on  the  alert  for  customers,  crying  to  each 
passer,  "Shine  yer  boots?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick,  "  I  know  them  all." 

"  No  doubt,"  sneered  Roswell.  "  They're  friends 
to  be  proud  of." 

"  I'm  glad  you  think  so,"  said  Dick.  "  They're  a 
rough  set,"  he  continued,  more  earnestly ;  "  but 
there's  one  of  them,  at  least,  that's  ten  times  better 
than  you  or  I." 

"  Speak  for  yourself,  if  you  please,"  said  Roswell, 
haughtily. 

"  I'm  speakin'  for  both  of  us,"  said  Dick. 
"  There's  one  boy  there,  only  twelve  years  old, 
that's  supported  his  sick  mother  and  sister  for 
more'n  a  year,  and  that's  more  good  than  ever 
you  or  I  did.  —  How  are  you,  Tom?"  he  said, 
nodding  to  the  boy  of  whom  he  had  spoken. 

"  Tip-top,  Dick,"  said  a  bright-looking  boy,  who 
kept  as  clean  as  his  avocation  would  permit.  "Have 
you  given  up  business  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Tom.  I'll  tell  you  about  it  some  other 
time.  I  must  get  back  to  Pearl  Street  with  these 
letters.     How's  your  mother?" 


•18  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OiJ,    THE 

"  She  aint  much  better,  Dick." 

"  Buy  her  some  oranges.  They'll  do  her  good," 
and  Dick  slipped  half  a  dollar  into  Tom's  hand. 

"  Thank  you,  Dick.  She'll  like  them,  I  know,  but 
you  oughtn't  to  give  so  much." 

"What's  half  a  dollar  to  a  man  of  my  fortune?" 
said  Dick.  "  Take  care  of  yourself,  Tom.  I  must 
hurry  back  to  the  store." 

Eoswell  was  already  gone.  His  pride  would  not 
permit  him  to  stand  by  while  Dick  was  conversing 
with  a  boot-black.  He  felt  that  his  position  would 
be  compromised.  As  for  Dick,  he  was  so  well 
dressed  that  nobody  would  know  that  he  had  ever 
been  in  that  business.  The  fact  is,  Eoswell,  like 
a  great  many  other  people,  was  troubled  with  a 
large  share  of  pride,  though  it  might  have  puzzled 
himself  to  explain  what  he  had  to  be  proud  of.  Had 
Dick  been  at  all  like  him  he  would  have  shunned  all 
his  former  acquaintances,  and  taken  every  precaution 
against  having  it  discovered  that  he  had  ever  occu- 
pied a  similar  position.  But  Dick  was  above  such 
meanness.  He  could  see  that  Tom,  for  instance, 
was  far  superior  in  all  that   constituted   manliness 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HVNTER.  49 

to  Roswell  Crawford,  and,  boot-black  though  he 
was,  he  prepared  to  recognize  him  as  a  friend. 

When  Dick  reached  the  store,  he  did  not  imme- 
diately see  Mr.  Rockwell. 

He  accordingly  entered  the  counting-room  where 
Gilbert,  the  book-keeper,  was  seated  at  a  desk. 

"  Here  are  the  letters,  Mr.  Gilbert,"  said  Dick. 

"  Lay  them  down,"  said  the  book-keeper,  sourly. 
"  You've  been  gone  long  enough.  How  many  did 
you  drop  on  the  way  ?  " 

"I  didn't  know  I  was  expected  to  drop  any,"  said 
Dick.  "  If  I  had  been  told  to  do  so,  I  would  have 
obeyed  orders  cheerfully." 

Mr.  Gilbert  was  about  to  remark  that  Dick  was  an 
impudent  young  rascal,  when  the  sudden  entrance  of 
Mr.  Rockwell  compelled  him  to  suppress  the  obser- 
vation, and  he  was  obliged  to  be  content  with  mut- 
tering it  to  himself. 

"  Back  already,  Richard  ? "  said  his  employer, 
pleasantly.     ""Where  are  the  letters?" 

"  Here,  sir,"  said  Dick. 

"Very  well,  you  may  go  to  Mr.  Murdock,  and  see 

what  he  can  find  for  you  to  do." 
4 


50  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    TI1E 

Mr.  Rockwell  sat  down  to  .read  his  letters,  and 
Dick  went  as  directed  to  the  head  clerk. 

"  Mr.  Rockwell  sent  me  to  you,  Mr.  Murdock,"  he 
said.  "  He  says  you  will  find  something  for  me  to 
do." 

"  Oh,  yes,  we'll  keep  you  busy,"  said  the  head  clerk, 
with  a  manner  very  different  from  that  of  the  book- 
keeper. "  At  present,  however,  your  duties  will  be 
of  rather  a  miscellaneous  character.  "We  shall  want 
you  partly  for  an  entry  clerk,  and  partly  to  run  to 
the  post-office,  bank,  and  so  forth." 

"All  right,  sir,"  said  Dick.  "I'm  ready  to  do 
anything  that  is  required  of  me.  I  want  to  make 
myself  useful." 

"  That's  the  right  way  to  feel,  my  young  friend. 
Some  boys  are  so  big-feeling  and  put  on  so  many 
airs,  that  you'd  think  they  were  partners  in  the 
business,  instead  of  beginning  at  the  lowest  round 
of  the  ladder.  A  while  ago  Mr.  Gilbert  brought 
round  a  cousin  of  his,  about  your  age,  that  he 
wanted  to  get  in  here ;  but  the  young  gentleman 
was  altogether  too  lofty  to  suit  me,  so  we  didn't 
take  him." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTEK.  51 

"Was  the  boy's  name  Eoswell  Crawford? " 

"  Yes  ;  do  you  know  him  ?  " 

"  Not  much.  He  thinks  I'm  too  far  beneath  him 
for  him  to  associate  with,  but  he  was  kind  enough  to 
walk  up  Nassau  Street  with  me  this  morning,  just  to 
encourage  me  a  little." 

"  That  was  kind  in  him,  certainly,"  said  the  head 
clerk,  smiling.  "  Unless  I  am  very  much  mistaken, 
you  will  be  able  to  get  along  without  his  patronage." 

"  I  hope  so,"  said  Dick. 

The  rest  of  the  day  Dick  was  kept  busy  in  various 
ways.  He  took  hold  with  a  will,  and  showed  him- 
self so  efficient  that  he  made  a  favorable  impression 
upon  every  one  in  the  establishment,  except  the 
book-keeper.  For  some  reason  or  other  Mr.  Gilbert 
did  not  like  Dick,  and  was  determined  to  oust  him 
from  his  situation  if  an  opportunity  should  offer. 


52  FAME  AND  FORTUNE}    OR,    THE 


CHAPTER    IV. 

LIFE  AT   THE   BOAEDING-HOUSE. 

Dick  found  his  new  quarters  in  Bleecker  Street 
very  comfortable.  His  room  was  kept  in  neat  order, 
which  was  more  than  could  be  said  of  his  former 
home  in  Mott  Street.  There  once  a  fortnight  was 
thought  sufficient  to  change  the  sheets,  while  both 
boys  were  expected  to  use  the  same  towel,  and  make 
that  last  a  week.  Indeed,  Mrs.  Mooney  would  have 
considered  the  boys  "mighty  particular"  if  they  had 
objected  to  such  an  arrangement.  Mrs.  Browning, 
fortunately,  was  very  different,  and  Dick  found  noth- 
ing to  complain  of  either  in  his  chamber  or  in  the 
board  which  was  furnished. 

Dick  had  felt  rather  awkward  on  his  first  appear- 
ance at  the  table,  but  he  was  beginning  to  feel  more 
at  his  ease.  It  was  rather  remarkable,  considering 
his  past  life,  how  readily  he  adapted  himself  to  an 
experience   so  different.     He   left  the  store  at  five 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  53 

o'clock,  and  got  to"  his  boarding-house  in  time  to  get 
ready  for  dinner.  Dick  had  now  got  to  be  quite  par- 
ticular about  his  appearance.  He  washed  his  face 
and  hands  thoroughly,  and  brushed  his  hair  carefully, 
before  appearing  at  the  table. 

Miss  Peyton,  the  lively  young  lady  who  has  al- 
ready been  mentioned  in  the  first  chapter,  sat  near 
the  boys,  and  evidently  was  quite  prepossessed  in 
their  favor.  Both  had  bright  and  attractive  faces, 
though  Dick  would  undoubtedly  be  considered  the 
handsomest.  He  had  a  fresh  color  which  spoke  of 
good  health,  and  was  well-formed  and  strong. 
Henry  Fosdick  was  more  delicate  in  appearance ; 
his  face  was  thinner,  and  rather  pale.  It  was  cleai 
that  he  was  not  as  well  able  to  fight  his  way  through- 
life  as  Dick.  But  there  was  something  pleasant  and 
attractive  in  his  quiet  sedateness,  as  well  as  in  the 
frank  honesty  and  humor  that  could  be  read  in  the 
glance  of  our  friend  Dick. 

"  Won't  you  and  your  friend  stop  a  little  while  and 
sing?"  asked  Miss  Peyton,  addressing  Henry  Fos- 
dick on  the  evening  of  the  second  day  of  Dick's 
business  career. 


54  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OB,    THE 

Fosdick  hesitated. 

"  My  friend  has  an  engagement  this  evening,"  he 
said. 

"  I  suppose  I  may  not  ask  where,"  said  she. 

"  I  am  invited  to  spend  the  evening  with  some 
friends  on  Madison  Avenue,"  said  Dick. 

"Indeed?"  said  Miss  Peyton,  surprised.  "I 
wasn't  aware  j^ou  had  such  fashionable  friends,  or  I 
couldn't  have  expected  to  retain  you." 

"All  my  friends  are  not  as  fashionable,"  said 
Dick,  wondering  what  the  young  lady  would  say  if 
she  could  see  his  late  fellow-lodgers  at  Mrs.  Moon- 
ey's,  on  Mott  Street. 

"If  I  can't  hope  to  keep  you  this  evening,  you 
must  promise  to  stay  awhile  to-morrow  evening.  I 
hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  hearing  you  sing,  Mr. 
Hunter." 

"  When  I  give  a  concert,"  said  Dick,  "  I'll  be  sure 
to  let  you  in  gratooitous." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Miss  Peyton.  "  I  shall  remind 
you  of  it.     1  hope  that  time  will  come  very  soon." 

"  Just  as  soon  as  I  can  engage  the  Academy  of 
Music  on  reasonable  terms." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  55 

"  You'd  better  try  first  in  the  parlor  here.  We'll 
take  up  a  contribution,  to  pay  you  for  your  exer- 
tions." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Dick.  "  You're  very  kind,  as 
the  man  said  to  the  judge  when  he  asked  him  when  it 
would  be  perfectly  agreeable  for  him  to  be  hung." 

Miss  Peyton  laughed  at  this  remark,  and  Dick 
went  upstairs  to  get  ready  for  his  visit  to  Madison 
Avenue. 

Our  hero  felt  a  little  bashful  about  this  visit.  He 
was  afraid  that  he  would  do  or  say  something  that 
was  improper,  or  that  something  would  slip  out 
which  would  betray  his  vagabond  life  of  the 
streets. 

"  I  wish  you  was  going  with  me,  Fosdick,"  he  said. 

"You'll  get  along  well  enough  alone,  Dick.  Don't 
be  afraid." 

"You  see  I  aint  used  to  society,  Fosdick." 

"  Nor  I  either." 

"  But  it  seems  to  come  natural  to  you.  I'm  al- 
ways makin'  some  blunder." 

"  You'll  get  over  that  in  time,  Dick.  It's  because 
you  have  so  much  fun  in  you.    I  am  more  sober. 


56  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OB,    THE 

Miss  Peyton  seems  very  much  amused  by  your  odd 
remarks." 

"  I  have  to  talk  so ;  I  can't  think  of  anything  else 
to  say." 

"  There's  one  thing,  Dick,  we  mustn't  give  up  at 
any  rate." 

"What's  that?" 

"  Studying.  We  don't  either  of  us  know  as  much 
as  we  ought  to." 

"  That's  so." 

"  You  can  see  how  much  good  studying  has  done 
for  you  so  far.  If  it  hadn't  been  for  that,  you 
wouldn't  have  been  able  to  go  into  Mr.  Rockwell's 
employment." 

"  That's  true  enough,  Fosdick.  I'm  afraid  I  don't 
know  enough  now." 

"  You  know  enough  to  get  along  very  well  for  the 
present,  but  you  want  to  rise." 

"  You're  right.  When  I  get  to  be  old  and  infirm  I 
don't  want  to  be  an  errand-boy." 

"  Nor  I  either.  So,  Dick,  I  think  we  had  better 
make  up  our  minds  to  study  an  hour  or  an  hour  and 
a  half  every  evening.    Of  course,  you  can't  begin 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  57 

this  evening,  but  there  are  very  few  when  you  can't 
find  the  time," 

"  I'll  send  a  circ'lar  to  my  numerous  friends  on 
Fifth  Avenue  and  Madison,  tellin'  'em  how  much  I'm 
obliged  for  their  kind  invitations,  but  the  claims  of 
literatoor  and  science  can't  be  neglected." 

"  Do  you  know,  Dick,  I  think  it  might  be  well  for 
us  to  begin  French  ?  " 

"I  wonder  what  Johnny  Nolan  would  say  if  I 
should  inquire  after  his  health  in  the  polly-voo 
language  ? " 

"  It  wouldn't  be  the  first  time  you  have  astonished 
him." 

"  Well,  Fosdick,  I'm  in  for  it  if  you  think  it's  best. 
Now  tell  me  what  necktie  I  shall  wear  ? " 

Dick  displayed  two.  One  was  bright  red  with 
large  figures,  which  he  had  bought  soon-  after  he 
began  to  board  in  Mott  Street.  The  other  was  a 
plain  black. 

"You'd  better  wear  the  black  one,  Dick,"  said 
Fosdick,  whose  taste  was  simpler  and  better  than 
his  friend's. 

"  It  seems  to  me  it  don't  look  handsome  enough," 


58  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

said  Dick,  whose  taste  had  not  yet  been  formed,  and 
was  influenced  by  the  Bowery  style  of  dress. 

"  It's  more  modest,  and  that  is  all  the  better." 

"  All  right.  I  suppose  you  know  best.  Before  I 
get  ready  I  must  give  a  new  shine  to  my  boots.  I'm 
going  to  make  them  shine  so  you  can  see  your  face 
in  them." 

"  Better  let  me  do  that  for  you,  Dick.  I  can  do  it 
while  you're  dressing,  and  that  will  save  time." 

"  No,  Fosdick,  I  was  longer  in  the  business  than 
you,  and  none  of  the  boys  could  beat  me  on  shines." 

"  I  don't  know  but  you're  right,  Dick.  I  freely 
yield  the  palm  to  you  in  that." 

Dick  stripped  off  his  coat  and  vest  and  went  to 
work  with  a  will.  He  had  never  worked  so  hard  for 
one  of  his  old  customers. 

"  I'm  goin'  to  give  it  a  twenty-five  cent  shine,"  he 
said. 

Just  then  a  knock  was  heard  at  the  chamber-door. 

"  Come  in !  "  said  Dick,  pausing  a  moment  in  his 
labors. 

Mr.  Clifton,  a  fellow-boarder,  entered  with  a  cigar 
in  his  mouth. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  59 

"Holloa,"  said  he,  "what's  up?  Going  to  the 
theatre,  Hunter?" 

"  No,"  said  Dick.  "  I'm  goin'  out  to  spend  the 
evening  with  some  friends  up  in  Madison  Avenue." 

"  So  I  heard  you  say  at  the  table,  hut  I  thought 
you  were  joking." 

"  No,"  said  Dick ;  "  it's  a  fact." 

"  Seems  to  me  you  handle  the  brush  pretty  skil- 
fully," remarked  Mr.  Clifton.  "  I  should  almost 
think  you  had  served  a  regular  apprenticeship 
at  it." 

"  So  I  have,"  answered  Dick.  "  Didn't  you  ever 
see  me  when  I  blacked  boots  on  Chatham  Square?  " 

"  Good  joke ! "  said  the  young  man,  who  was  far 
from  supposing  that  Dick  was  in  earnest.  "  Oh,  yes, 
of  course  I've  seen  you  often  !  Did  you  make  money 
at  it?" 

"  I  retired  on  a  fortun',"  said  Dick,  "  and  now 
I've  invested  my  capital  in  mercantile  pursuits. 
There,"  and  he  took  up  one  boot,  and  showed  it  to 
his  visitor,  "  did  you  ever  see  a  better  shine  than 
that?" 

"  No,  I  didn't,  that's  a  fact,"  said  Clifton,  ad- 


60  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

miringly.  "  You  beat  the  young  rascal  I  employ  all 
hollow.  I  say,  Hunter,  if  you  ever  go  into  the 
'  shine '  business  again,  I'll  be  a  regular  customer  of 
yours." 

"  He  little  thinks  I've  blacked  his  boots  before 
now,"  thought  Dick. 

"  All  right,"  said  he,  aloud.  "."When  a  commer- 
cial crisis  comes,  and  I  fail  in  business,  I  think 
I'll  remember  your  encouragin'  offer,  and  remind 
you  of  it." 

"Have  a  cigar  either  of  you?"  asked  Clifton, 
drawing  out  a  case.  "Excuse  my  not  offering  it 
before." 

"  No,  thank  you,"  said  Fosdick. 

"Don't  smoke,  eh?  "Won't  you  have  one, 
Hunter?" 

"  No,  thank  you.  Fosdick  is  my  guardian,  and 
he  don't  allow  it." 

"  So  you're  a  good  boy.  "Well,  I  wish  you  a 
pleasant  evening,"  and  Clifton  sauntered  out  to  find 
some  other  companion. 

"  He  wouldn't  believe  I'd  been  a  boot-black,"  said 
Dick,  "  even  after  I  told  him.    I  knew  he  wouldn't, 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  61 

or  I  wouldn't  have  said  so.  Is  my  hah'  parted 
straight?" 

"  Yes,  it's  all  right." 

"  How's  my  cravat?  " 

"  It'll  do.  You're  getting  to  be  quite  a  dandy, 
Dick." 

"  I  want  to  look  respectable ;  got  it  right  that 
time.  "When  I  visit  Turkey  I  want  to  look  as  the 
turkeys  do.  Won't  you  go  with  me,  —  as  far  as 
the  door,  I  mean?" 

"Yes,  if  you're  going  to  walk." 

"  I'd  rather.  I  feel  kind  of  nervous,  and  perhaps 
I'll  walk  it  off." 

The  two  boys  got  their  caps,  and  walked  up 
Broadway  on  the  west  side.  The  lights  were 
already  lit,  and  the  shop  windows  made  a  brilliant 
display.  At  intervals  places  of  amusement  opened 
wide  their  hospitable  portals,  and  large  placards 
presented  tempting  invitations  to  enter. 

They  reached  Union  Square,  and,  traversing  it, 
again  walked  up  Broadway  to  Madison  Park.  At 
the  upper  end  of  this  park  commences  the  beautiful 
avenue   which  bears   the   same  name.     Only    about 


62  fame  and  fortune;  or,  the 

half  a  dozen  blocks  now  required  to  be  passed,  when 
the  boys  found  themselves  .opposite  a  residence  with 
a  very  imposing  front. 

"  This  is  the  place,"  said  Dick.  "  I  wish  you  were 
going  in  with  me." 

"I  hope  you  will  have  a  pleasant  time,  Dick. 
Good-by  till  I  see  you  again." 

Dick  felt  a  little  nervous,  but  he  summoned  up  all 
his  courage,  and,  ascending  the  broad  marble  steps, 
rang  the  bell. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  63 


CHAPTER    V. 

DICK  RECEIVES   TWO   VALUABLE   PRESENTS. 

At  the  end  of  the  last  chapter  we  left  Dick  stand- 
ing on  the  steps  of  Mr.  Rockwell's  residence  in 
Madison  Avenue.  He  had  rung  the  bell  and  was 
waiting  to  have  his  summons  answered.  To  say 
that  Dick  expected  to  enjoy  his  visit  would  not  be 
strictly  true.  He  knew  very  well  that  his  street 
education  had  not  qualified  him  to  appear  to  advan- 
tage in  fashionable  society,  and  he  wished  that  Fos- 
dick  were  with  him  to  lend  him  countenance. 

While  under  the  influence  of  these  feelings  the 
door  was  thrown  open,  and  a  servant  looked  at  him 
inquiringly. 

"  Is  Mr.  Rockwell  at  home?  "  asked  Dick. 

"  Yes.    Would  you  like  to  see  him?  " 

"  He  asked  me  to  call  this  evening." 

"  What !  Are  you  the  boy  that  saved  Master 
Johnny  from  drowning?"    asked  the  servant,  her 


64  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

face  brighteniug  up,  for  Johnny  was  a  great  favorite 
in  the  house. 

"  I  jumped  into  the  water  after  him,"  said  Dick, 
modestly. 

"  I  heard  Mr.  Eockwell  say  he  was  expecting  you 
to-night.  Come  right  in.  Mistress  is  very  anxious 
to  see  you." 

Placed  a  little  at  his  ease  by  this  cordial  reception, 
Dick  followed  the  servant  upstairs  to  a  pleasant  sit- 
ting-room on  the  second  floor.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rock- 
well were  seated  at  a  centre-table  reading  the  evening 
papers,  while  Johnny  and  his  sister  Grace  were  con- 
structing a  Tower  of  Babel  with  some  blocks  upon 
the  carpet  before  the  fire. 

Dick  entered,  and  stood  just  within  the  door,  with 
his  cap  in  his  hand,  feeling  a  little  embarrassed. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Richard,"  said  Mr.  Rock- 
well, rising  from  his  seat,  and  advancing  to  our  hero 
with  a  pleasant  smile.  "  Mrs.  Rockwell  has  been 
anxious  to  see  you.  My  dear,  this  is  the  brave  boy 
who  saved  our  little  Johnny." 

Mrs.  Rockwell,  a  tall,  graceful  lady,  with  a  smile 
that  quite  captivated   Dick,  offered  her  hand,  and 


FROGRESS    OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  65 

said,  earnestly,  "  My  brave  boy,  I  have  been  wishing 
to  see  you.  I  shudder  to  think  that,  but  for  your 
prompt  courage,  I  should  now  be  mourning  the  loss 
of  my  dear  little  Johnny.  Accept  a  mother's  thanks 
for  a  favor  so  great  that  she  can  never  hope  to  repay 
it." 

Now  this  acknowledgment  was  very  pleasant  to 
Dick,  but  it  was  also  very  embarrassing.  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  receive  praise  gracefully.  So  our  hero,  not 
knowing  what  else  to  say,  stammered  out  that  she 
was  very  welcome. 

"I  understand  that  you  have  entered  my  hus- 
band's employment,"  said  Mrs.  Rockwell. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick.  "  He  was  kind  enough  to  take 
me." 

"  I  hope  to  make  a  man  of  business  of  our  young 
friend,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell.  "  He  will  soon  feel  at 
home  in  his  new  position,  and  I  hope  we  may  find 
the  connection  mutually  satisfactory." 

"Have  you  a  pleasant  boarding-place?"  asked 
Mrs.  Rockwell. 

"  Tip-top,"  said  Dick.  "  I  mean  pretty  good,"  he 
added,  in  a  little  confusion. 


66  FAME  AND  FORTUNE,'    OR,    THE 

"Where  is  it?" 

"  In  Bleecker  Street,"  said  Dick,  very  glad  that  he 
was  not  obliged  to  say  Mott  Street. 

"That  is  quite  a  good  location,"  said  Mr.  Rock- 
well. "  How  do  you  spend  your  evenings,  Rich- 
ard?" 

"  In  studying  with  a  friend  of  mine,"  said  Dick. 
"  I  want  to  know  something  by  the  time  I  grow  up." 

"That  is  an  excellent  resolution,"  said  his  em- 
ployer, with  warm  approval.  "  I  wish  more  boys  of 
your  age  were  equally  sensible.  You  may  depend 
upon  it  that  a  good  education  is  the  best  preparation 
for  an  honorable  and  useful  manhood.  What  is  your 
friend's  name?" 

"  Henry  Fosdick.     He  rooms  with  me." 

"I  am  glad  you  have  a  friend  who  shares  your 
tastes.  But  perhaps  you  would  like  to  renew  your 
acquaintance  with  the  young  gentleman  to  whom  3-ou 
have  rendered  so  great  a  service.  Johnny  has  been 
allowed  to  stay  up  beyond  his  usual  bedtime  because 
you  were  coming.     Johnny,  come  here  !  " 

Johnny  rose  from  his  blocks,  and  came  to  his 
mother's    side.      He   was   a    pleasant-looking    little 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD    HUNTER.  67 

fellow,  with  a  pair  of  bright  eyes,  and  round,  plump 
cheeks.     He  looked  shyly  at  Dick. 

"Did  you  ever  see  this  young  man?"  asked  his 
mother. 

"  Yes,"  said  Johnny. 

"When  was  it?" 

"When  I  was  in  the  river,"  said  Johnny.  "He 
pulled  me  out." 

"  Are  you  glad  to  see  him?" 

s 

"  Yes,"  said  Johnny.     "  What  is  his  name?" 

"  Dick,"  said  our  hero,  who  somehow  could  not 
help  feeling,  when  called  Richard,  that  some  other 
boy  was  meant. 

"Won't  you  come  and  help  me  build  a  house?" 
asked  little  Johnny. 

Dick  accepted  the  invitation  with  pleasure,  feeling 
more  at  home  with  children  than  with  older  persons. 

"  This  is  sister  Grace,"  said  Johnny,  with  an  off- 
hand introduction. 

"  I  saw  you  on  the  boat,"  said  Dick. 

"  Yes,"  said  Grace,  "  I  was  there.  Oh,  how  fright- 
ened I  was  when  Johnny  fell  into  the  water !  I  don't 
see  how  you  dared  to  jump  in  after  him." 


68  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;    OK,    TRE 

"  Oh,  I've  been  in  swimming  many  a  time.  I 
don't  mind  it,"  said  Dick. 

"I  s'pose  you're  used  to  it,  like  the  fishes,"  said 
Johnny.  "  I'm  glad  I'm  not  a  fish.  I  shouldn't  like 
to  live  in  the  water." 

"  I  don't  think  I  should,  either,"  said  Dick. 
"Now,  what  do  you  think  the  fishes  do  when  it 
rains  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know." 

"  They  go  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  sea  to  get 
out  of  the  wet." 

"Isn't  it  wet  down  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea?" 
asked  Johnny,  in  good  faith. 

"  Of  course  it  is,  you  little  goose,"  said  Grace, 
with  an  air  of  superior  wisdom. 

"  Will  you  make  me  a  house?"  said  Johnny. 

"  What  kind  of  a  house  do  you  want?"  said  Dick, 
seating  himself  on  the  carpet,  and  taking  up  the 
blocks. 

"  Any  kind,"  said  Johnny. 

Dick,  beginning  to  feel  quite  at  home  with  the 
children,  erected  an  imposing-looking  house,  leaving 
little  spaces  for  the  doors  and  windows. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  6& 

"  That's  better  than  the  house  Grace  made,"  said 
Johnny,  looking  at  it  with  complacency. 

"But  it  won't  last  very  long,"  said  Dick.  "  You'd 
better  sell  it  before  it  tumbles  over." 

"  Do  you  own  any  houses  ?  "  asked  Johnny. 

"  Not  many,"  said  Dick,  smiling. 

"  My  father  owns  this  house,"  said  Johnny,  posi- 
tively.    "  He  paid  fifty  dollars  for  it." 

"  I  didn't  think  houses  were  so  cheap,"  said  Dick 
"  I'd  like  to  buy  one  at  that  price." 

"You're  a  little  goose,  Johnny,"  said  Grace 
"  He  gave  as  much  as  five  hundred  dollars," 

"  Grace  doesn't  know  much  more  about  lire  pric* 
of  real  estate  than  Johnny,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell. 

"  Didn't  the  house  cost  as  much  as  five  hundred 
dollars  ? "  asked  Grace. 

"  As  much  as  that  certainly,  my  dear." 

Just  then,  by  an  unguarded  movement  of  Johnny's 
foot,  the  edifice  of  blocks  reared  by  Dick  became  a 
confused  ruin. 

"  I've  got  tired  of  building  houses,"  he  {renounced, 
"  Won't  you  tell  me  a  stor}',  Dick?  " 

"  I  don't  think  I  know  any,"  said  our  ha  y 


70 


FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 


"Here  is  a  book  of  pictures,"  said  his  mother, 
bringing  one  from  the  table.  "  Perhaps  your  new 
friend  will  show  them  to  you." 

Dick  took  the  book,  and  felt  very  glad  that  he  had 
learned  to  read.  Otherwise  he  might  have  been  con- 
siderably embarrassed. 

The  children  asked  a  great  many  questions  of  Dick 
about  the  pictures,  some  of  which  he  could  not  an- 
swer. Johnny,  on  being  shown  the  picture  of  a 
Turkish  mosque,  asked  if  that  was  the  place  where 
the  turkeys  went  to  church. 

"  If  there  was  any  place  for  a  goose  to  go  to 
church,  3rou'd  go  there,"  said  his  sister. 

"  I  aint  a  goose  any  more  than  you  are,"  said 
Johnny,  indignantly  ;  "  am  I,  Dick?  " 

Just  then  the  servant  came  in  to  carry  the  children 
to  bed,  and,  considerably  against  their  wishes,  they 
were  obliged  to  withdraw. 

"  Come  again,  Dick,"  said  Johnny. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Dick.     "  Good-night." 

"  Good-night,"  said  the  two  children,  and  the  door 
closed  upon  them. 

"  I  think  I'll  be  going,"  said  Dick,  who  did  not 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  71 

feel  quite  so  much  at  ease,  now  that  his  young 
friends  had   left  him. 

"  Wait  a  few  minutes,"  said  Mrs.  Rockwell. 

She  rang  the  bell,  and  a  servant  brought  up  some 
cake  and  apples,  of  which  Dick  was  invited  to  par- 
take. 

I  need  not  detail  the  conversation  ;  but  Mrs.  Rock- 
well, with  the  tact  of  a  genuine  lady,  managed  to 
draw  out  Dick,  and  put  him  quite  at  his  ease. 

"  How  old  are  you,  Richard?"  she  asked. 

"  Fifteen,"  said  Dick ;  "  goin'  on  sixteen." 

"  You  are  getting  to  be  quite  a  young  man,  —  old 
enough  to  wear  a  watch.     Have  you  one?  " 

"  No,"  said  Dick,  not  suspecting  the  motive  that 
led  to  her  question. 

"  Will  you  allow  me  the  pleasure  of  supplying  the 
deficiency?"  said  Mrs.  Rockwell. 

As  she  spoke,  she  drew  from  a  box  at  her  side  a 
very  neat  gold  watch  and  chain,  and  placed  it  in 
Dick's  hands. 

Our  hero  was  so  astonished  at  first  that  he  could 
scarcely  believe  that  this  valuable  present  was  in- 
tended for  him. 


72  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  Is  it  for  me?"  he  asked,  hesitatingly. 

"  Yes,"  said  Mrs.  Rockwell,  smiling  pleasantly. 
"  I  hope  you  will  find  it  of  service." 

"  It  is  too  much,"  said  Dick.  "I  do  not  deserve 
it." 

"  You  must  let  me  be  the  judge  of  that,"  said  the 
lady,  kindly.  "  Here  is  the  key  ;  I  nearly  forgot  to 
give  it  to  you.  I  suppose  you  know  how  to  wind  it 
up?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick.  "  I  understand  that.  I  am 
very  much  obliged  to  you." 

"  You  are  very  welcome.  "Whenever  you  look  at 
it,  let  it  remind  you  that  under  all  circumstances  you 
can  rely  upon  the  friendship  of  Johnny's  parents." 

Dick  slipped  the  watch  into  a  watch-pocket  in  his 
vest,  for  which  he  had  never  before  had  any  use,  and 
attached  the  chain  to  his  button-hole. 

"  How  beautiful  it  is !  "  he  said,  in  tones  of  ad- 
miration. 

"It  was  bought  at  Ball  &  Black's,"  said  Mrs. 
Rockwell.  "If  it  should  not  keep  good  time,  or 
anything  should  happen  to  it,  I  advise  you  to  take  it 
there,  and  they  will  repair  it  for  you." 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  73 

Dick  perceived  by  his  new  watch  that  it  was 
nearly  ten  o'clock,  and  rose  to  go.  He  was  kindly 
invited  to  renew  his  visit,  and  promised  to  do  so. 
Just  as  he  was  leaving  the  room,  Mr.  Rockwell 
handed  a  sealed  envelope  to  Dick,  saying,  "  Put  this 
in  your  pocket,  Richard.  It  will  be  time  enough  to 
open  it  when  you  get  home." 

Dick  sped  home  much  more  quickly  than  he  had 
come.  He  thought  with  delight  of  Fosdick's  surprise 
when  he  should  see  the  new  watch  and  chain,  and 
also  with  pardonable  exultation  of  the  sensation  he 
would  produce  at  the  table  when  he  carelessly  drew 
out  his  watch  to  see  what  time  it  was. 

"When  he  reached  his  boarding-house,  and  went 
upstairs,  he  found  Fosdick  sitting  up  for  him. 

"  Well,  Dick,  what  sort  of  a  time  did  you 
have  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Tip-top,"  said  Dick. 

""Who  did  you  see?" 

"  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rockwell,  and  two  children,  — 
Johnny,  the  one  I  fished  out  of  the  water,  and  his 
sister,  Grace.  Johnny's  a  jolly  little  chap,  and  his 
sister  is  a  nice  girl." 


74  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"Halloa,  what's  that?"  asked  Fosdick,  suddenly 
espying  the  watch-chain. 

"What  do  j^ou  think  of  my  new  watch?"  asked 
Dick,  drawing  it  out. 

"  Do  you  mean  to  say  it  is  yours?  " 

"  Yes.    Mrs.  Rockwell  gave  it  to  me." 

"It's  a  regular  beauty.  Mr.  Henderson  has  got 
one  that  he  paid  a  hundred  dollars  for;  but  it  isn't 
as  nice  as  yours." 

"  Seems  to  me  I  have  no  end  of  luck,"  said 
Dick.  "I'll  be  a  young  man  of  fortun'  before  I 
know  it." 

"  People  will  think  you  are  now,  when  they  see 
you  wear  such  a  watch  as  that." 

"Johnny  Nolan' d  think  I  stole  it,  if  he  should  see 
it,"  said  Dick.  "  Poor  chap  !  I  wish  some  luck  would 
come  to  him.  I  saw  him  to-day  lookin'  just  as  I 
used  to  before  I  met  Frank." 

"There's  some  difference  between  then  and  now, 
Dick." 

"  Yes.     I  was  a  rough  chap  in  them  days." 

"  In  those  days,  Dick."         * 

"  In  those  days,  and  I  don't  know  but  I  am  now, 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  75 

but  I'm  trying  to  improve.     With  you  to  help  me,  T 
think  I'll  grow  up  respectable." 

"  I  hope  we  both  will,  Dick.  But  who's  that 
letter  from  that  you've  just  taken  out  of  your 
pocket?" 

"  Oh,  I  forgot.  Mr.  Rockwell  handed  it  to  me 
just  before  I  came  away,  and  told  me  not  to  open  it 
till  I  got  home.  F'r'aps  it  sa}-s  that  he  hasn't  no 
more  occasion  for  my  valuable  services." 

"That  isn't  very  likely,  considering  the  present 
you  have  brought  home.  But  open  it ;  I  am  curious 
to  see  what  is  in  it." 

The  envelope  was*  cut  open,  and  a  piece  of  paper 
dropped  out. 

Fosdick  picked  it  up,  and  to  his  inexpressible 
amazement  ascertained  that  it  was  a  check  on  the 
Park  Bank  for  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars,  made 
payable  to  Richard  Hunter,  or  order. 

"  A  thousand  dollars ! "  repeated  Dick,  over- 
whelmed with  astonishment ;  "you're only  foolin'  me. 
P'r'aps  it's  ten  dollars." 

"  No,  it's  a  thousand  dollars.  Read  it  yourself  if 
you  don't  believe  it." 


76  fame  and  fortune;   on,  THE 

"  I  wish  you'd  pinch  me,  Fosdick,"  said  Dick, 
seriously. 

"  Certainly,  if  you  wish  it." 

"  That's  enough,"  said  Dick,  hastily.  "  I  only 
wanted  to  make  sure  I  wasn't  dreamin'.  I  can't 
believe  I'm  worth  a  thousand  dollars." 

"  You're  a  lucky  fellow,  Dick,"  said  Fosclick,  "  and 
you  deserve  your  luck.     I'm  heartily  glad  of  it." 

"  About  the  best  luck  I  ever  had  was  in  meeting 
you,"  said  Dick,  affectionately.  "  I'm  goin'  to  give 
you  half  the  money." 

"  No,  you're  not,  Dick.  Thank  you  all  the  same," 
said  Fosdick,  decidedly.  "  It  was  meant  for  you, 
and  you  must  keep  it.  I'll  get  along  well  enough. 
If  I  don't,  I  know  you'll  help  me." 

"  But  I  wish  you'd  take  half  the  money." 

"  No,  Dick,  it  wouldn't  be  right.  But  your  new 
watch  says  it's  getting  late,  and  we  had  better  go  to 
bed." 

It  was  some  time  before  Dick  fell  asleep.  His 
good  luck  had  so  excited  him  that  he  found  it  difficult 
to  calm  down  sufficiently  to  sink  into  a  quiet  slum- 
ber. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  77 


CHAPTER    VI. 

MK.   GILBERT   IS   ASTONISHED. 

When  Dick  woke  up  in  the  morning  the  first  thing 
he  thought  of  was  his  watch,  the  next  the  check 
which  he  had  received  from  Mr.  Rockwell. 

"I'll  go  to  the  bank  this  morning,  and  get  my 
money,"  said  he. 

"How  are  you  going  to  invest  it,  Dick?"  asked 
Fosdick. 

"  I  don't  know,"  said  Dick.  "  I'll  put  it  in  the 
savings  bank  till  I  decide.  That'll  make  more'n 
eleven  hundred  dollars.  I  didn't  use  to  think  I 
ever'd  be  worth  that,  when  I  slept  in  boxes  and  old 
wagons." 

"  Eleven  hundred  dollars  at  six  per  cent,  interest 
will  yield  you  sixty-six  dollars  a  year." 

"  So  it  will,"  said  Dick,  "  and  all  without  working. 
I  tell  you  what,  Fosdick,  at  this  rate  I'll  soon  be  a 
man  of  fortune." 


78  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;     Oil,    THE 

"  Yes,  if  you  can  make  a  thousand  dollars  .i  day." 

"  I  wonder  what  old  Gilbert'll  say  when  he  sees 
it,"  said  Dick. 

"Who's  he?" 

"  He's  the  book-keeper.  He  aint  very  fond  of 
me." 

"  What  has  he  against  you  ?  " 

"  He  thinks  I  don't  treat  him  with  pi'oper  respect," 
said  Dick.  "  Besides  he  tried  to  get  his  cousin 
Roswell  Crawford  in,  but  he  couldn't." 

"  Then  it  seems  both  of  us  have  interfered  with 
Roswell." 

"He's  got  a  place  now.  I  guess  he's  the  senior 
partner  by  the  way  he  talks." 

The  breakfast-bell  rang,  and  the  bo}^  went  down 
to  breakfast.  Clifton  was  down  already,  and  was 
standing  in  front  of  stove.  Being  an  observing  young 
man  he  at  once  noticed  Dick's  watch-chain. 

"  Halloa,  Hunter !  "  said  he ;  "I  didn't  know  you 
had  a  watch." 

"I  didn't  know  it  myself  till  last  night,"  said 
Dick. 

"  Where  did  you  get  it?  " 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  79 

"It  came  from  Ball  &  Black's,"  said  our  hero, 
willing  to  mystify  him. 

V  That's  a  nice  chain,  —  solid  gold,  eh? " 

"Do  you  think  I'd  wear  anything  else?"  asked 
Dick,  loftily. 

"  Will  you  allow  me  to  look  at  the  watch?  " 

"  Certainly,"  said  Dick,  drawing  it  from  his  pocket, 
and  submitting  it  to  Clifton's  inspection. 

"  It's  a  regular  beauty,"  said  the  young  man,  en- 
thusiastically. "  Do  you  mind  telling  how  much  jrou 
paid  for  it  ?  " 

"How  much  do  you  think?" 

"  A  hundred  dollars  ?  " 

"  It  cost  all  of  that,"  said  Dick,  confidently.  "If 
you  see  one  for  sale  at  that  price,  just  let  me  know, 
and  I'll  buy  it  for  a  speculation." 

"You  must  be  getting  a  pretty  good  salary  to  buy 
such  a  watch  as  that." 

"  Pretty  good-,"  said  Dick,  carelessly. 

Mr.  Clifton  was  rather  a  shallow  young  man,  who 
was  fond  of  show,  and  had  a  great  respect  for  those 
who  were  able  to  make  it.  When  Dick  first  came  to 
the  boarding-house  he  looked  down  upon  him  as  a 

I 


80  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OH,    THE 

boy ;  but  now  that  he  proved  to  be  the  possessor  of 
an  elegant  gold  watch  and  chain,  and  might,  there- 
fore, be  regarded  as  in  prosperous  circumstances,"  he 
conceived  a  high  respect  for  him.  The  truth  was 
that  Clifton  himself  only  got  two  dollars  a  week 
more  than  Dick,  yet  he  paid  eight  dollars  a  week  for 
board,  and  spent  the  rest  in  dress.  His  reputation 
among  tailors  was  not  the  best,  being  always  more 
ready  to  order  new  clothes  than  to  pay  for  them. 

While  they  were  talking  the  rest  of  the  boarders 
entered,  and  breakfast  commenced.  Miss  Peyton 
was  there,  of  course. 

"  How  did  you  find  your  friends  in  Madison 
Avenue  last  evening,  Mr.  Hunter?"    she  inquired. 

"  They  were  all  up  and  dressed,"  said  Dick. 
"  They  sent  their  partic'lar  regards  to  you." 

"  Oh,  you  wicked  story-teller ! "  simpered  Miss 
Peyton;  "just  as  if  I'd  believe  such  nonsense. 
Have  they  got  a  nice  house?" 

"  Beautiful,"  said  Dick.  "  I  haven't  seen  any  like 
it  since  I  called  on  Queen  Victoria  last  jTear." 

"  How  is  the  house  furnished?"  • 

"  Well,"  said  Dick,  "  as  near  as  I  can  remember, 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HVNTER.  81 

there's  diamonds  worked  in  the  carpet,  and  all  the 
tables  and  chairs  is  of  gold.  They'd  be  rather  hard 
to  set  on  if  it  twan't  for  the  velvet  cushions." 

I 

"  Aint  you  afraid  to  tell  such  stories,  Mr.  Hunter? 
Mr.  Fosdick,  you  will  have  to  talk  to  jTour  friend." 

"I  am  afraid  it  wouldn't  do  much  good,  Miss  Pey- 
ton, if  you  fail  to  cure  him." 

"  Mr.  Hunter  has  just  been  investing  in  a  hand- 
some watch,"  remarked  Clifton,  passing  his  cup  for  a 
second  cup  of  coffee. 

"  Oh,  do  let  me  look  at  it !  I  dote  on  watches," 
said  Miss  Peyton. 

"  Certainly,"  said  Dick  ;  and  he  detached  the  chain 
from  his  button-hole,  and  passed  the  watch  across  the 
table. 

"  It's  a  perfect  little  love,"  said  Miss  Pe}7ton,  en- 
thusiastically.    "Isn't  it,  Mrs.  Browning?" 

"  It  is  very  beautiful,  certainly,"  &aid  the  landlady. 
She  could  not  help  feeling  surprised  that  Dick,  who, 
it  will  be  remembered,  had  represented  himself  at  his 
first  visit  to  be  in  limited  circumstances,  and  now 
occupied  one  of  her  cheapest  rooms,  could  afford  to 
purchase  an  article  which  was  evidently  so  costly. 


82  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;    Oil,    THE 

"Where  did  you  buy  it,  Mr.  Hunter?"  asked 
another  boarder. 

"  I  did  not  buy  it  at  all,"  said  Dick,  deciding  to 
let  it  be  known  how  it  came  into  his  possession.  "  It 
was  given  to  me." 

"Perhaps  you'll  mention  my  name  to  the  person 
that  gave  it  to  you,"  said  Mr.  Clifton.  "  If  he's  got 
any  more  to  dispose  of  in  that  way,  I  should  like  to 
come  in  for  one." 

"  How  do  you  know  but  it  may  have  come  from  a 
lady  friend,  Mr.  Clifton  ?  "  said  Miss  Peyton,  slyly. 

"How  is  that,  Hunter?" 

"  I  haven't  had  any  presents  from  any  of  my  lady 
friends  yet,"  said  Dick.  "  Perhaps  I  may  some 
time." 

"You  don't  mean  anybody  in  particular,  of 
course,  Mr.  Hunter?"  said  Miss  Peyton. 

"  Oh,  no,  of  course  not." 

This  conversation  may  seem  scarcely  worth  record- 
ing, but  it  will  serve  to  illustrate  the  character  of 
Dick's  fellow-boarders.  Miss  Peyton  was  rather 
silly  and  affected,  but  she  was  good-natured,  and 
Dick  felt  more  at  home  with  her  than  he  would  have 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  83 

done  had  she  been  a  lady  like  Mrs.  Rockwell,  for 
instance.  It  got  to  be  the  custom  with  Dick  and 
Fosdick  to  remain  in  the  parlor  a  short  time  after 
supper,  or  rather  dinner,  for  this  was  the  third  meal, 
and  Fosdick  joined  the  young  lady  in  singing.  Dick 
unfortunately  had  not  been  gifted  by  nature  with  a 
voice  attuned  to  melody,  and  he  participated  only  as 
a  listener,  in  which  capacity  he  enjoyed  the  enter- 
tainment. 

After  breakfast  Dick  set  out  for  the  store  as  usual. 
He  felt  unusually  happy  and  independent  as  he 
walked  along.  The  check  in  his  pocket  made  him 
feel  rich.  He  wondered  how  it  would  be  best  to 
invest  his  money  so  as  to  yield  him  the  largest 
return.  He  wisely  decided  to  take  Mr.  Murdock, 
the  head  clerk,  into  his  confidence,  and  ask  his  advice 
upon  this  point. 

When  Dick  arrived  at  the  store  neither  Mr.  Gilbert 
nor  Mr.  Murdock  had  yet  arrived.  Half  an  hour 
later  the  latter  came,  and  five  minutes  after  him  the 
book-keeper. 

The  latter  noticed  that  the  morning  paper  appeared 
to  have  been  disturbed,  and,  glad  of  any  opportunity 


84  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

to  fin.i  fault  with  Dick,  said,  angrily,  "So  you'vt 
been  reading  the  paper  instead  of  minding  youi 
work,  have  you?    I'll  report  you  to  Mr.  Rockwell." 

"Thank  you,"  said  Dick,  "you're  very  kind. 
Are  you  sure  I  read  the  paper?  Is  there  any  news 
missin'  out  of  it  ?  " 

"  You're  an  impudent  boy,"  said  the  book-keeper, 
provoked.  He  wanted  to  overawe  Dick ;  but  some- 
how Dick  wouldn't  be  overawed.  Evidently  he  did 
not  entertain  as  much  respect  for  the  book-keeper  as 
that  gentleman  felt  to  be  his  due.  That  a  mere 
errand-boy  should  bandy  words  with  a  gentleman  in 
his  position  seemed  to  Mr.  Gilbert  highly  reprehen- 
sible. 

"You're  an  impudent  boy!"  repeated  Gilbert, 
sharply,  finding  Dick  did  not  reply  to  his  first 
charge. 

"  I  heard  you  make  that  remark  before,"  said  Dick, 
quietly. 

Now  there  was  nothing  out  of  the  waj1-  in  Dick's 
tone,  which  was  perfectly  respectful,  and  he  only 
stated  a  fact;  but  the  book-keeper  became  still 
more  angry. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  85 

"  Who  rumpled  that  paper?  "  he  asked. 

"  Suppose  you  ask  Mr.  Murdock?"  said  Dick. 

"Did  he  come  in  here?"  asked  Gilbert,  cooling 
down,  for  it  was  against  Dick  that  his  charge  was 
made,  and  not  against  the  head  clerk.  As  to  the 
paper,  he  really  cared  nothing. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick. 

"  Then  it's  all  right.  I  supposed  you  had  been 
idling  your  time  over  the  paper.  Go  and  ask  Mr. 
Murdock  what  time  it  is.  I  left  my  watch  at 
home." 

"  It's  half  past  eight,"  said  Dick,  drawing  out  his 
watch. 

Up  to  this  time'  the  book-keeper  had  not  noticed 
Dick's  watch-chain.  Now  that  his  attention  was 
drawn  not  only  to  that,  but  to  the  beautiful  gold 
watch  which  Dick  carried,  he  was  not  a  little  sur- 
prised. 

"Whose  watch  is  that?"  he  asked,  abruptly. 

"  Mine,"  said  Dick,  briefly,  rather  enjoying  the 
book-keeper's   surprise. 

"  How  did  you  come  by  it  ? " 

"  Honestly,"  said  Dick. 


86  FAME   AND  , FORTUNE  ;     OR,    THE 

"  Is  it  gold,  or  only  plated?" 

"  It's  gold." 

"  Humph !     Did  you  buy  it,  or  was  it  given  you?  " 

"  Well,"  said  Dick,  "  I  didn't  buy  it." 

"  Did  you  say  it  was  yours  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

Gilbert  looked  at  Dick  in  surprise.  Our  hero  was 
becoming  more  and  more  an  enigma  to  him.  That  a 
boy  in  Dick's  position  should  have  a  gold  watch 
given  him,  especially  now  that  he  had  learned  from 
his  cousin  Roswell  the  nature  of  Dick's  former  em- 
ployment, seemed  indeed  wonderful. 

"  Let  me  look  at  your  watch  a  minute,"  he  said. 

Dick  handed  it  to  him. 

"  It  seems  to  be  a  very  good  one,"  he  said. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick  ;  "I  aint  proud.  It's  as  good  as 
I  want  to  wear." 

"  It  looks  entirely  out  of  place  on  such  a  boy  as 
you,"  said  the  book-keeper,  sharply. 

"  Perhaps  it  would  look  better  on  you,"  suggested 
our  hero,  innocently. 

"Yes,  it  would  be  more  appropriate  for  me  to 
wear   than    you.      You're    not   old    enough    to    be 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  87 

trusted  with  a  watch ;  least  of  all  with  such  a 
good  one  as  that." 

"  Perhaps  you'd  be  kind  enough  to  mention  it  to 
the  one  that  gave  it  to  me." 

"  Whoever  gave  it  to  you  didn't  show  much  judg- 
ment," said  Gilbert,  in  the  same  pleasant  way. 
"Who  was  it?" 

"  It  was  Mrs.  Rockwell." 

If  a  bombshell  had  exploded  in  the  office,  it  could 
hardly  have  taken  Gilbert  more  by  surprise. 

"Who  did  you  say?"  he  repeated,  thiuking  his 
ears  might  have  deceived  him. 

"  Mrs.  Rockwell,"  said  Dick,  once  more. 

The  book-keeper  could  hardly  suppress  a  low 
whistle. 

"  When  did  she  give  it  to  you?" 

"  Last  evening." 

"  Were  you  up  there?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Did  Mr.  Rockwell  invite  you?  " 

"Yes."' 

Jnst  then  Dick  was  called  away  by  Mr.  Murdock, 
who  had  some  work  for  him  to  do. 


88  fame  and  fortune;  or,  the 

"There's  something  mighty  queer  in  all  this," 
thought  the  book-keeper.  "  What  Mr.  Rockwell  can 
see  in  that  boy,  I  don't  understand.  He's  an  impu- 
dent young  rascal,  and  I'll  get  him  turned  off  if  it's 
a  possible  thing." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  8& 


CHAPTER    VII. 


A  FINANCIAL   DISCUSSION. 


In  the  course  of  the  morning  Dick  called  at  the 
Park  Bank,  and  presented  the  check  which  was 
made  payable  to  himself.  His  employer  had  ac- 
companied him  to  the  bank  on  a  previous  day,  and 
introduced  him  to  the  cashier  as  one  who  was  au- 
thorized to  receive  and  pay  over  money  for  the  firm. 
Dick  therefore  found  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  his 
money,  though  the  fact  that  the  check  was  made 
payable  to  him  created  some  surprise. 

"  Your  salary  seems  to  be  a  large  one,"  said  the 
teller,  as  he  handed  our  hero  ten  bills  of  a  hundred 
dollars  each. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick,  "  my  services  are  very  valooa- 
ble." 

On  leaving  the  bank,  Dick  went  to  the  savings 
bank,  and  presented  his  book. 

"  How  much  do  }'ou  wish  to  deposit?" 


90  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  A  thousand  dollars,"  s*aid  Dick,  briefly. 

The  bank  officer  looked  at  him  in  surprise. 

"  How  much  did  you  say  ?  "  he  repeated. 

"  A  thousand  dollars." 

"  No  nonsense,  young  man !  My  time  is  too 
raluable,"  said  the  other,  impatiently. 

He  was  justified  in  his  incredulity,  since  Dick's 
deposits  hitherto  had  been  in  sums  of  from  one  to 
Hve  dollars. 

"  If  you  don't  want  to  take  the  mone}r,  I  can  go 
somewhere  else,"  said  our  hero,  who  was  now  on  his 
dignity.  "  I  have  a  thousand  dollars  to  deposit. 
Here  it  is." 

The  bank  officer  took  the  money,  and  counted  it 
over  in  considerable  surprise. 

"Business  is  improving,  —  isn't  it?"  he  said. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick.  "  I  made  all  that  money  in 
one  day." 

"  If  you  should  want  a  partner,  call  round  and 
see  me." 

«  All  right.     I  won't  forget." 

Dick  took  the  bank-book,  and,  putting  if  in  his 
inside  coat-pocket,  buttoned  up  his  coat,  and  hurried 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  91 

back  to  the  store.  His  reflections  were  of  a  very 
agreeable  nature,  as  be  thought  of  his  large  deposit 
in  the  savings  bank,  and  he  could  not  help  feeling 
that  he  had  been  born  under  a  lucky  star. 

Nothing  of  consequence  transpired  in  the  store 
that  day.  Dick  was  attentive  to  his  duties.  He  was 
determined  to  learn  the  business  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  not  only  because  he  felt  grateful  to  Mr. 
Rockwell  for  his  kindness,  but  also  because  he  knew 
that  this  was  the  best  thing  for  his  future  prospects. 
Mr.  Murdock,  who  has  already  been  mentioned,  was 
of  service  to  him  in  this  respect.  He  was  himself  an 
excellent  business  man,  and  very  conscientious  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duties.  He  required  the  same 
fidelity  of  others.  He  had  observed  Dick  closety, 
and  was  attracted  towards  him  by  his  evident  desire 
to  give  satisfaction,  as  well  as  by  his  frank,  open 
face.  He  resolved  to  help  him  along,  more  es- 
pecially when  he  saw  the  manner  in  which  he  was 
treated  by  the  book-keeper.  To  tell  the  truth,  Mr. 
Gilbert  was  not  a  favorite  with  Mr.  Murdock.  He 
understood  his  business,  to  be  sure,  and,  so  far  as 
Mr.  Murdock  knew,  kept  the  books  correct!}".     But 


92  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OB,    THE 

personally  he  was  not  agreeable,  and  the  bead 
salesman  doubted  whether  his  integrity  was  what  it 
should  have  been.  So,  altogether,  he  made  up  his 
mind  to  help  Dick  on  as  well  as  he  could,  and  take 
pains  to  instruct  him  in  the  business. 

Dick,  on  his  side,  was  pleased  with  Mr.  Murdock, 
and  determined  to  make  him  a  confidant  in  the 
matter  of  his  sudden  accession  of  fortune. 

He  took  an  opportunity,  therefore,  during  the  day, 
to  say  to  him,  "  Mr.  Murdock,  I  want  to  ask  3'our 
advice  about  something." 

"Well,  my  lad,  what  is  it?"  said  his  friend, 
kindly.  "  If  it's  about  choosing  a  wife,  I  don't  know 
whether  my  advice  will  be  good  for  much." 

"  It  isn't  that,"  said  Dick.  "  Next  year'U  be  soon 
enough  for  that." 

"  So  I  should  think.  Well,  if  it's  nothing  of  that 
sort,  what  is  it  ?  " 

"  It's  about  investing  some  money.  I  thought  you 
might  be  able  to  advise  me." 

"  How  much  is  it?"  asked  Mr.  Murdock,  suppos- 
ing  the  sum  could  not  be  more  than  fifty  or  sixty 
dollars. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  93 

"  Eleven  hundred  dollars,"  said  Dick. 

"How  much?"  demanded  the  salesman,  in  sur- 
prise. 

"  Eleven  hundred  dollars." 

"Is  it  your  own?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Of  course  you  couldn't  have  earned  so  much. 
Was  it  left  to  you?" 

"I'll  tell  you  all  about  it,"  said  Dick.  "I 
wouldn't  tell  Mr.  Gilbert,  and  I  don't  mean  he  shall 
know  it,  but  I'd  just  as  lieves  tell  you.  Do  you 
know  why  Mr.  Rockwell  gave  me  this  place  ?  " 

"  No  ;  I've  wondered  a  little,  not  at  that,  but  at  his 
giving  you  so  much  higher  pay  than  boys  usually 
receive." 

"  Then  I'll  tell  you." 

Dick  proceeded  to  give  an  account  of  the  mannei 
in  which  he  had  rescued  little  Johnny  from  drown- 
ing, as  related  in  the  adventures  of  "  Ragged  Dick." 

"  It  was  a  brave  act,"  said  Mr.  Murdock. 

"  It  was  nothing  at  all/  said  Dick,  modestly.  "  I 
could  swim  like  a  duck,  an<J  I  didn't  mind  the  wet- 
ting." 


94  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR)    THE 

"  But  3*ou  ran  the  risk  of  drowning." 

"  I  didn't  think  of  that." 

"  If  you  had  been  a  coward  or  a  selfish  boy,  it 
would  have  been  the  first  thing  you  would  have 
thought  of.  So  Mr.  Rockwell  gave  you  this  place  in 
acknowledgment  of  your  service.  I  am  glad  he  did. 
You  deserve  it." 

"  He  has  done  more,"  said  Dick.  Then  he  related 
the  events  of  the  evening  previous,  and  told  Mr. 
Murdock  of  the  two  gifts  he  had  received.  "  So, 
with  the  money  I  had  before,  I  have  now  eleven 
hundred  dollars,"  Dick  concluded.  "  Shall  I  leave 
it  in  the  savings  bank,  or  can  I  do  better  with  it  ?  " 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  I  think  will  be  a  good  invest- 
ment," said  Mr.  Murdock.  "I  know  a  party  who 
owns  four  adjoining  lots  on  Forty -Fifth  Street.  He 
is  pressed  for  money,  and  wishes  to  dispose  of  them. 
He  offered  them  to  me  at  twenty-two  hundred  dollars, 
half  cash.  I  offered  him  a  thousand  dollars  cash  for 
two  of  them,  but  he  wishes  to  sell  the  whole  together. 
I  think  it  will  be  an  excellent  speculation,  for  the  lay- 
ing out  of  Central  Park  is  carrying  up  the  price  of 
lots  in  the  neighborhood  rapidly." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER,  95 

"  Why  didn't  you  buy  them,  then?  " 

"  Because  I  didn't  want  to  buy  anything  that  I 
couldn't  pay  for  at  once.  I've  got  a  wife  and  three 
children  to  look  out  for,  and  so  I  can  save  money  but 
slowly.  If  I  only  had  myself  to  take  care  of,  I 
wouldn't  hesitate." 

"Can't  we  club  together,  and  buy  it?"  suggested 
Dick,  eagerly.    » 

"  That  is  just  what  I  was  going  to  propose.  I 
think  the  owner  will  take  two  thousand  dollars  down 
for  the  lots.  That  will  be  a  thousand  dollars  apiece. 
I've  got  that  money,  and  so  have  you.  What  do  you 
think  of  it?" 

"  Tip-top,"  said  Dick,  enthusiastically.  "  It's  just 
what  I'd  like  to  do." 

"  Of  course  it  wouldn't  bring  us  in  anything,  but 
would,  instead,  be  an  expense  for  the  present,  as  we 
should  have'  to  pay  taxes  on  it.  On  the  other  hand, 
you  could  invest  the  money  in  bank-stock,  so  as  to 
receive  seventy  or  eighty  dollars  annually  at  interest. 
You  must  decide  which  investment  you  prefer. 
The  land  we  may  have  to  keep  on  hand  four  or  five 
years,  paying  taxes  yearly." 


96  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  But  the  price'll  go  up." 

"  There  is  no  doubt  of  that.    The  city  is  extend 
ing  northwards  rapidly.     I  shouldn't  be  surprised  if 
the  lots  would  bring  a  thousand  dollars  apiece  in  less 
than  five  years.    This  would  be  equal  to  a  very 
handsome  interest." 

"  I'm  in  for  buying  'em,"  said  Dick.  "  So,  if 
you'll  see  the  owner,  I'll  have  the  money  all  ready 
whenever  you  want  it." 

"  Very  well,  but  perhaps  you  would  like  to  see 
them  first.  "We'll  manage  to  get  off  an  hour  earlier 
than  usual  this  afternoon,  and  go  up  and  take  a  look 
at  them." 

"  It  seems  to  me  Mr.  Murdock  and  that  boy  are 
pretty  thick  together,"  said  the  book-keeper,  glancing 
through  the  glass  partition.  He  could  see  that  they 
were  conversing  earnestly,  but  of  course  couldn't 
bear  a  word  that  was  said.  "  "What  he  or  Mr.  Rock- 
well can  see  in  the  young  rascal  passes  my  com- 
prehension." 

He  called  sharply  to  Dick,  and  ordered  him  to  go 
to  the  post-office  for  letters. 

"  All  right,"  said  Dick. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD    HUNTER.  97 

"  And  mind  you  don't  loiter  by  the  way,"  said  the 
book-keeper,  sharply.     "  You  were  gone  long  enough 
at  the   bank    this   morning.     Did  you   come    ri<dit 
back?" 
"  No,"  said  Dick. 
"Why  didn't  you?" 

"  There  was  somewhere  else  I  wanted  to  go." 
"  On  your  own  business,  or  Mr.  Rockwell's?  " 
"  On  my  own  business." 

"  So  I  thought.     I  shall  report  you  to  Mr.  Rock- 
well," said  Gilbert,  triumphantly. 

"  I  wouldn't,  if  I  were  you,"  said  Dick,  coolly. 
"And  why  not,  you  young  rascal?" 
"  Because  he  knows  it  already." 
"Knows   it   already,"  repeated   the   book-keeper, 
discomfited.     "Well,  I  hope   he   gave  you   a  good 
scolding." 

"  I  am  sorry  to  disappoint  you,"  said  Dick ;  "  but 
he  knows  it,  because  he  gave  me  leave  to  go." 

"  I  don't  believe  it,"  said  Gilbert,  mortified  to  find 
that  Dick  was  in  the  right  after  all. 

"  Then  perhaps  you'd  better  ask  Mr.  Rockwell." 
"  I  will,"  said  Gilbert,  who  really  had'  no  intention 


98  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    Oli,    THE 

of  doing  so.  "You  must  have  had  some  very  urgent 
private  business,"  he  added,  with  a  sneer. 

"  You're  right,  there,"  said  Dick. 

"  Playing  marbles  with  some  of  your  ragamuffin 
friends,  I  suppose." 

"  Playin'  marbles  is  a  very  refined  and  intellectual 
amusement,"  said  Dick ;  "  but  I  don't  play  marbles  in 
business  hours." 

"Where  did  you  go?"  said  the  book-keeper,  im- 
patiently. "I  don't  want  any  of  your  imperti- 
nence." 

"  I  went  to  the  savings  bank,"  said  Dick. 

"  I  suppose  you  have  a  very  large  account  there," 
sneered  Gilbert. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick,  quietly ;  "  pretty  large." 

"  It's  to  be  hoped  you  won't  withdraw  your  patron- 
age, or  the  bank  might  fail." 

"  Then  I  won't,"  said  Dick.  "  Shall  I  go  to  the 
post-office  now  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  be  quick  about  it." 

The  book-keeper  had  some  curiosity  as  to  the 
amount  of  Dick's  account  at  the  savings  bank,  but 
there  was  no  good  chance  for  him  to  inquire,  and  he 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HVNTER.  99 

accordingly  returned  to  his  writing,  more  prejudiced 
against  Dick  than  ever. 

On  the  whole,  I  have  some  doubts  whether  Dick's 
manner  was  quite  as  respectful  as  it  ought  to  have 
been  to  one  who  was  older  and  higher  in  office  than 
himself.  I  should  not  recommend  my  young  readers 
to  imitate  him  in  this  respect.  But  it  is  my  business 
to  describe  Dick  just  as  he  was,  and  I  have  already 
said  that  he  was  not  a  model  boy.  Still  in  most  re- 
spects he  tried  to  do  what  was  right,  and  it  must  be 
admitted  that  the  book-keeper's  treatment  of  him  was 
not  likely  to  inspire  much  attachment  or  respect. 
Dick  had  no  difficulty  in  perceiving  the  dislike  en- 
tertained by  Gilbert  for  him,  and  he  was  beginning 
to  cherish  a  similar  feeling  towards  the  book-keeper. 
He  determined,  however,  to  give  him  no  cause  of 
complaint,  so  far  as  he  was  entitled  to  command  his 
services ;  but  it  must  be  confessed  he  found  much 
more  satisfaction  in  obeying  Mr.  Rockwell  and  Mr, 
Murdock. 


100  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


NEW"  PLANS. 


At  the  close  of  the  afternoon,  as  had  been  pro- 
posed, Mr.  Murdoch,  accompanied  by  Dick,  rode  up 
as  far  as  Forty-Fifth  Street,  to  look  at  the  lots  which 
he  had  suggested  buying.  They  were  located  in  a 
very  eligible  situation,  between  Fifth  and  Sixth 
Avenues.  Some  of  my  young  readers  may  not  be 
aware  that  the  dimensions  of  a  city  lot  are  twenty- 
five  feet  front  by  one  hundred  feet  in  depth.  The 
four  lots  together  made  a  plot  of  one  hundred  feet  by 
one  hundred,  or  a  little  less  than  quarter  of  an  acre. 
In  the  country  the  whole  would  scarcely  have  been 
considered  sufficient  for  a  house  with  a  good  yard  in 
front ;  but  if  people  choose  to  live  in  the  citjr  they 
must  make  up  their  minds  to  be  crowded. 

"It  looks  small, —  don't  it?"  said  Dick.  "I 
shouldn't  think  there  was  four  lots  there." 

"Yes,"  said  Mr.  Murdoch,  "they  are  of  the  reg- 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  101 

ular  size.  Some  lots  are  only  twenty  feet  wide. 
These  are  twenty-five.  They  don't  look  so  large 
before  they  are  built  on." 

"  Well,"  said  Dick,  "  I'm  in  for  baying  them." 

"  I  think  it  will  be  a  good  investment  for  both  of 
us,"  said  Mr.  Murdock. 

"  The  money  shall  be  ready  whenever  you  want  it," 
said  Dick. 

"  Very  well.  I  will  see  the  owner  to-morrow,  or 
rather  this  evening,  as  it  is  best  to  be  prompt,  lest 
we  might  lose  so  favorable  a  bargain.  I  will  make 
the  best  terms  I  can  with  him,  and  let  you  know  the 
result  to-morrow." 

"All  right!"  said  Dick.  "Good-night,  Mr. 
Murdock." 

"Good-night.  By-the-by,  why  won't  you  come 
round  and  take  supper  with  us  ?  My  wife  and  chil- 
dren will  be  glad  to  make  your  acquaintance." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Dick.  "  I  will  come  some 
other  evening  with  pleasure  ;  but  if  I  stay  away  with- 
out saying  anything  about  it,  Fosdick  won't  know 
what's  become  of  me." 

Dick  got  back  to  Bleecker  Street  a  little  late  for 


102  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

dinner.     "When  he  entered  the  dining-room,  the  re- 
mainder of  the  boarders  were  seated  at  the  table. 

"  Come,  Mr.  Hunter,  you  must  render  an  account 
of  yourself,"  said  Miss  Peyton,  playfully.  "Why 
are  you  late  this  evening?" 

"  Suppose  I  don't  tell,"  said  Dick. 

*'  Then  you  must  pay  a  fine,  —  mustn't  he,  Mrs. 
Browning  ?  " 

"  That  depends  upon  who  is  to  benefit  by  the 
fines,"  said  the  landlady.  "  If  they  are  to  be  paid 
to  me,  I  shall  be  decidedly  in  favor  of  it.  That  re- 
minds me  that  you  were  late  to  breakfast  this  morn- 
ing, Miss  Peyton." 

"Oh,  ladies  mustn't  be  expected  to  pay  fines," 
said  Miss  Peyton,  shaking  her  ringlets.  "  They 
never  have  any  money,  you  know." 

"  Then  I  think  we  must  let  Mr.  Hunter  off,"  said 
Mrs.  Browning. 

"If  he  will  tell  us  what  has  detained  him.  You 
must  excuse  my  curiosity,  Mr.  Hunter,  but  ladies, 
you  know,  are  privileged  to  be  curious." 

"  I  don't  mind  telling,"  said  Dick,  helping  himself 
to  a  piece  of  toast.     "  I'm  talking  of  buying  some 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  103 

lots  up-town,  and  went  up  with  a  friend  to  look  at 
them." 

Fosdick  looked  at  Dick,  inquiringly,  not  knowing 
if  he  were  in  earnest  or  not. 

"Indeed!"  said  Mr.  Clifton.  "May  I  inquire 
where  the  lots  are  situated  ? " 

"  I'll  tell  you  if  I  buy  them,"  said  Dick ;  "  but  I 
don't  want  to  run  the  risk  of  losing  them." 

"  You  needn't  be  afraid  of  my  cutting  you  out," 
said  Clifton.  "  I  paid  my  washerwoman  this  morn- 
ing, and  haven't  got  but  a  dollar  and  a  half  over.  I 
suppose  that  won't  buy  the  property." 

"I  wish  it  would,"  said  Dick.  "  In  that  case  I'd 
buy  half  a  dozen  lots." 

"  I  suppose,  from  your  investing  in  lots,  Mr.  Hun- 
ter, that  you  are  thinking  of  getting  married,  and 
living  in  a  house  of  your  own,"  said  Miss  Peyton, 
simpering. 

"  No,"  said  Dick,  "  I  shan't  get  married  for  a  year. 
Nobody  ought  to  be  married  before  they're  seven- 
teen." 

"  That's  just  my  age,"  said  Miss  Pej^ton. 

Mr.  Clifton  afterwards  informed  Dick  that   Miss 


104  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

Peyton  was  twenty-five,  but  did  not  mention  how  he 
had  ascertained.  He  likewise  added  that  when  he 
first  came  to  the  boarding-house,  she  had  tried  her 
fascinations  upon  him. 

"  She'd  have"  married  me  in  a  minute,"  he  said, 
complacently  ;  "but  I'm  too  old  a  bird  to  be  caught 
that  way.  "When  you  see  Mrs.  Clifton,  gentlemen, 
you'll  see  style  and  beauty,  and  —  money,"  he  added, 
after  a  moment's  reflection. 

Mr.  Clifton  had  a  tolerably  good  opinion  of  him- 
self, as  may  be  inferred  from  this  remark.  In  fact, 
he  valued  himself  rather  more  highly  than  the  ladies 
appeared  to  do  ;  but  such  cases  are  not  remarkable. 

"  Mrs.  Clifton  will  be  a  lucky  woman,"  said  Dick, 
with  a  sober  face. 

"You're  very  kind  to  say  so,"  said  Mr.  Clifton, 
modestly.  "  I  believe  I'm  tolerably  good-looking, 
and  nobody'll  deny  that  I've  got  style.  But  money, 
—  that's  my  weak  point.  You  couldn't  lend  me  five 
dollars,  could  you,  till  next  week?" 

" I'm  afraid  not,"  said  Dick.  "My  up-town  lots 
cost  so  much,  and  then  there'll  be  the  taxes  after- 
wards." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  105 

"  Ob,  it's  of  no  consequence.  I  thought  a  little  of 
going  to  the  opera  to-night,  and  I  need  a  new  pair 
of  gloves.  It  costs  a  sight  to  keep  a  fellow  in 
gloves." 

"So  it  does,"  said  Dick.  "  I  bought  a  pair  for 
fifty  cents  six  months  ago,  and  now  I've  got  to  buy 
another  pair." 

"  Ha,  ha !  good  joke  !  By  the  way,  I  wonder  you 
fellows  don't  take  a  better  room." 

"Why  should  we?  Isn't  this  good  enough?" 
asked  Fosdick. 

"  Oh,  it's  comfortable  and  all  that,"  said  Clifton ; 
*'  but  you  know  what  I  mean.  You  wouldn't  want 
any  of  your  fashionable  friends  to  call  upon  you 
here." 

"  That's  a  fact,"  said  Dick.  "  Suppose,"  he  said, 
turning  to  Fosdick,  with  a  twinkle  in  his  eye, 
"  Johnny  Nolan  should  call  upon  us  here.  "What 
would  he  think  of  our  living  in  such  a  room  ?  " 

"  He  would  probably  be  surprised,"  said  Fosdick, 
entering  into  the  joke. 

"Is  he  one  of  your  Madison- Avenue  friends?" 
asked  Clifton,  a  little  mystified. 


106  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  I  don't  know  where  he  lives,"  said  Dick,  with 
truth  ;  "  hat  he's  a  friend  of  mine,  in  business  down 
town." 

"  Wholesale  or  retail?" 

"  Retail  I  should  say,  —  shouldn't  you,  Fosdick?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Fosdick,  amused  at  Clifton's  evident 
mystification. 

"  Well,  good-evening,  gents,"  said  Clifton,  saun 
tering  out  of  the  room.  "  Call  and  see  me  when  you 
haven't  anything  better  to  do." 

"  Thank  you.     Good-night." 

"  Were  you  in  earnest,  Dick,  about  the  up-town 
lots,"  asked  Fosdick,  after  Clifton  had  left  the 
room. 

"Yes,"  said  Dick.  "It's  an  investment  that  Mr. 
Murdock  advised.  I'll  tell  you  about  it,  and  then 
you  can  tell  me  what  you  think  of  it." 

Dick  thereupon  gave  an  account  of  the  conversa- 
tion  that  had  taken  place  between  him  and  the  head 
clerk,  and  what  they  proposed  to  do.  "  What  do 
you  think  of  it  ?  "  he  concluded. 

"I  have  no  doubt  it  is  an  excellent  plan,"  said 
Fosdick ;    "  but   of  course  my   opinion  isn't  worth 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  (07 

much.  I  don't  see  but  you  stand  a  chance  to  be  a 
rich  man  some  time,  Dick." 

"  By  the  time  I  get  to  be  a  hundred,"  said  Dick. 

"A  good  while  before  that,  I  presume.  But 
there's  something  else  we  must  not  forget." 

"What  is  that?" 

"  Money  is  a  good  thing  to  have,  but  a  good  edu- 
cation is  better.  I  was  thinking  to-day  that  since  we 
have  come  here  we  haven't  done  any  studying  to 
amount  to  anything." 

"  That  is  true." 

"  And  the  sooner  we  begin  the  better." 

"  All  right.     I  agree  to  that." 

"  But  we  shall  need  assistance.  I've  taught  you 
about  all  I  know  myself,  and  now  we  want  to  go 
higher." 

"What  shall  we  do?" 

"  I'll  tell  you,  Dick.  Have  you  noticed  the  young 
man  that  has  a  room  just  opposite  ours?" 

"  His  name  is  Layton,  —  isn't  it?" 

"Yes."    . 

"What  about  him?" 

"  I  heard  yesterday  that  he  was  a  teacher  in  a  pri- 


103  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OB,    THE 

vate  school.  We  might  engage  him  to  teach  us  in 
the  evening,  or,  at  any  rate,  see  if  he  is  willing." 

"  All  right.     Is  he  in  now,  I  wonder?" 

"  Yes.  I  heard  him  go  into  his  room  a  few  min- 
utes since." 

"  Very  well ;  suppose  we  go  in  and  speak  to  him." 

The  boys  at  once  acted  upon  this  suggestion,  and, 
crossing  the  entry,  knocked  at  the  door. 

"  Come  in !  "  said  a  voice  from  within. 

The  door  being  opened,  they  found  themselves  in 
the  presence  of  a  young  man  of  pleasant  appearance, 
apparently  about  twenty-five  years  of  age. 

"  Good-evening,  gentlemen,"  he  said.  "  I  am  glad 
to  see  you.    Will  you  have  seats  ?  " 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Fosdick.  "  We  came  in  on  a 
little  business.  I  understand  you  are  a  teacher,  Mr. 
Layton." 

11  Yes,  1  am  engaged  in  a  private  school  in  the 
city." 

"My  friend  and  myself  are  engaged  in  business 
during  the  day,  but  we  feel  that  our  education  is 
quite  deficient,  and  we  want  to  make  ai'rangeinents 
to  study  evenings.     We  cannot  do  this  to  advantage 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  1   0 

without  assistance.  Are  you  occupied  during  the 
evenings  ?  " 

"  No,  I  am  not." 

"Perhaps  you  would  not  like  teaching  in  the  even- 
ing, after  being  engaged  in  the  daytime." 

"  On  the  contrary,  I  have  been  hoping  to  secure 
scholars  ;  but  I  hardly  knew  how  to  set  about  it." 

"Are  you  acquainted  with  the  French  language, 
Mr.  Lay  ton?" 

"  Yes,  I  am  tolerably  familiar  with  it.  I  studied 
it  at  college  with  a  native  teacher." 

"If  you  are  a  college  graduate,  then,  you  will  be 
able  to  teach  us  whatever  we  desire  to  learn.  But  I 
am  afraid  we  may  not  be  able  to  make  it  worth  your 
while.  We  have  neither  of  us  large  salaries.  But 
if  four  dollars  a  week  —  two  dollars  for  each  of  us  — 
would  be  satisfactory  —  " 

"  I  shall  be  satisfied  with  it,"  said  Mr.  Lay  ton. 
"  In  fact,"  he  added,  frankly,  "  I  shall  consider  it 
quite  a  welcome  addition  to  my  salar}r.  My  father 
died  a  year  since,  and  my  mother  and  sister  are  com- 
pelled to  depend  upon  me  in  part  for  support.  But 
I  have  not  been  able  to  do  as  much  for  them  as  I 


110  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OH,    THE 

wished.  This  addition  to  my  earnings  will  give  me 
the  means  of  increasing  their  comforts." 

"  Then  it  will  be  a  pleasant  arrangement  all 
round,"  said  Fosdick.  "What  would  you  advise  us 
to  study?" 

After  a  few  inquiries  as  to  their  present  attain- 
ments, Mr.  Layton  recommended  a  course  of  mathe- 
matics, beginning  with  algebra,  history,  and  the 
French  language.  He  gave  the  boys  a  list  of  the 
books  the}7-  would  be  likely  to  need. 

The  next  evening  the  boys  commenced  studying, 
and  determined  to  devote  an  hour  and  a  half  each 
evening  to  mental  improvement.  They  found  Mr. 
Layton  an  excellent  teacher,  and  he  on  his  side 
found  them  very  apt  pupils. 

Dick  had  an  active,  intelligent  mind,  and  an  excel- 
lent capacity,  and  Fosdick  had  always  had  a  thirst 
for  learning,  which  he  was  now  able  to  gratify.  As 
his  salary  would  have  been  insufficient  to  pay  his 
expenses  and  the  teacher  besides,  he  was  obliged  to 
have  recourse  to  his  little  fund  in  the  savings  bank. 
Dick  offered  to  assist  him,  but  Fosdick  would  not 
consent.    Just  as  his  savings  were  about  exhausted, 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  1  ]  1 

his  wages  were  raised  two  dollars  a  week,  and  this 
enabled  him  to  continue  the  arrangement  without 
assistance. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  the  boys  commenced 
reading  French,  and  found  it  quite  interesting 


112  FAME  AND  FORTUNE  J     3iJ,    THE 


CHAPTER    IX. 

R0SWELL   CRAWFORD   AT  HOME. 

While  Fosdick  and  Dick  are  devoting  theli  even- 
ings to  study,  under  the  guidance  of  Mr.  Laj^ton, 
we  will  direct  the  reader's  attention  to  a  young  gen- 
tleman who  considered  himself  infinitely  superior  in 
the  social  scale  to  either.  Roswell  Crawford  could 
never  forget  that  Dick  had  once  been  a  boot-black, 
and  looked  upon  it  as  an  outrage  that  such  a  boy 
should  be  earning  a  salary  of  ten  dollars  a  week, 
while  he  —  a  gentleman's  son  —  was  only  paid  four, 
which  he  regarded  as  a  beggarly  pittance.  Roswell' s 
father  had  once  kept  a  small  dry  goods  store  on 
Broadway,  but  failed  after  being  in  business  a  little 
less  than  a  year.  This  constituted  his  claim  to  gen- 
tility. After  his  failure,  Mr.  Crawford  tried  several 
kinds  of  business,  without  succeeding  in  any.  His 
habits  were  not  strictly  temperate,  and  he  had  died 
two  years  previous.     His  wife  hired  a  house  in  Clin- 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  113 

ton  Place,  and  took  boarders,  barely  succeeding  in 
making  both  ends  meet  at  the  end  of  the  year.  The 
truth  was  that  she  was  not  a  good  manager,  and  pre- 
ferred to  talk  of  her  gentility  and  former  wealth  to 
looking  after  the  affairs  of  the  household.  She  was 
very  much  like  her  son  in  this  respect. 

Among  Mrs.  Crawford's  boarders  was  Mr.  Gilbert, 
who  is  already  known  to  the  reader  as  the  book-keep- 
er of  Eockwell  &  Cooper.  It  has  been  mentioned 
also  that  he  was  Roswell's  cousin,  being  a  son  of 
Mrs.  Crawford's  only  brother.  He,  too,  was  not  un- 
like his  aunt  and  cousin,  and  all  three  combined  to 
hate  and  despise  Dick,  whom  Mrs.  Crawford  saw  fit 
to  regard  as  her  son's  successful  rival. 

"How's  the  boot-black,  Cousin  James?"  asked 
Eoswell,  on  the  evening  succeeding  that  which  Dick 
had  passed  at  Mr.  Rockwell's. 

"  Putting  on  airs  worse  than  ever,"  replied  Gil- 
bert. 

"Mr.  Rockwell  has  a  singular  taste,  to  say  the 
least,"  said  Mrs.  Crawford,  "•  orr  he  wouldn't  hire  a 
boy  from  the  streets,  and  give  nim  such  extravagant 
wages.     To  pay  such  a  vagabond  ten  dollars  a  week, 


114  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

when  a  boy  of  good  family,  like  Roswell,  can  get  but 
four,  is  perfectly  ridiculous." 

"  I  don't  believe  be  gets  so  much,"  said  Roswell. 
"It's  only  one  of  his  big  stories." 

"  You're  mistaken  there,"  said  Gilbert.  "  He  does 
get  exactly  that." 

"  Are  you  sure  of  it?  " 

"  I  ought  to  be,  since  I  received  directions  from 
Mr.  Rockwell  to-day  to  pay  him  that  amount  to-mor- 
row night,  that  being  the  end  of  the  week." 

"  I  never  heard  of  such  a  thing  !  "  ejaculated  Mrs. 
Crawford.     "The  man  must  be  a  simpleton." 

"  If  he  is,  there's  another  besides  him." 

"  Who  do  you  mean?" 

"Mrs.  Rockwell." 

"  Has  she  made  acquaintance  with  the  boot-black, 
then  ?  "    asked  Roswell,  with  a  sneer. 

"  Yes,  he  visited  them  last  evening  at  their 
house." 

"Did  he  tell  you  so?" 

"  Yes." 

"  I  should  think  they'd  feel  honored  by  such  a 
visitor." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  115 

"  Probably  they  did,  for  Mrs.  Rockwell  made  him 
a  present  of  a  gold  watch." 

""What!"  exclaimed  Roswell  and  his  mother  in 
concert. 

"It's  true.  I  sent  him  out  to  ask  the  time  to-day, 
>rhen  he  pulled  out  a  new  gold  watch  with  an  air  of 
importance,  and  told  me  the  time." 

"  Was  it  a  good  watch?  " 

"  A  very  handsome  one.  It  must  have  cost,  with 
the  chain,  a  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars." 

"  The  idea  of  a  boot-black  with  a  gold  watch !  " 
exclaimed  Roswell,  with  a  sneer.  "  It's  about  as  ap- 
propriate as  a  pig  in  a  silk  dress." 

"  I  can't  understand  it  at  all,"  said  Mrs.  Crawford. 
"  It  can't  be  that  he's  a  poor  relation  of  theirs,  can 
it?" 

"I  should  say  not.  Mr.  Rockwell  wouldn't  be 
likety  to  have  a  relation  reduced  to  blacking  boots." 

"Is  the  boy  so  attractive,  then?  What  does  he 
look  like?" 

"  He's  as  bold  as  brass,  and  hasn't  got  any  man- 
ners nor  education,"  said  Roswell. 

Poor  Dick !     His  ears  ought  to  have  tingled,  con- 


116  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    Off,    THE 

sidering  the  complimentary  things  that  were  said  of 
him  this  evening.  But  luckily  he  knew  nothing 
about  it,  and,  if  he  had,  it  is  doubtful  whether  it 
would  have  troubled  him  much.  He  was  indepen- 
dent in  his  ideas,  and  didn't  trouble  himself  much 
about  the  opinion  of  others,  as  long  as  he  felt  that 
he  was  doing  right  as  nearly  as  he  knew  how. 

"  Do  you  think  this  strange  fancy  of  Mr.  Rock 
well's  is  going  to  last?"  inquired  Mrs.  Crawford 
"I  wish  Eoswell  could  have  got  in  there." 

So  do  I,  but  I  couldn't  accomplish  it." 

"If  this  boy  should  fall  out  of  favor,  there  might 
be  a  chance  for  Eoswell  yet ;  don't  you  think  so  ?  " 
asked  Mrs.  Crawford. 

"  I  wish  there  might,"  said  Eoswell.  "  I'd  like  to 
see  that  beggar's  pride  humbled.  Besides,  four  dol- 
lars a  week  is  such  a  miserable  salary." 

"  You  thought  yourself  lucky  when  you  got  it." 

"  So  I  did ;  but  that  was  before  I  found  out  how 
much  this  boot-black  was  getting." 

"  Well,"  said  Gilbert,  "  he  isn't  a  favorite  of  mine, 
as  you  know  well  enough.  If  there's  anything  I  can 
do  to  oust  him,  I  shall  do  it." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  117 

• 

"  Couldn't  you  leave  some  money  in  Ms  way  ?  He 
might  be  tempted  to  steal  it." 

"  I  don't  know  yet  what  course  would  be  best.  I'll 
try  to  get  him  into  trouble  of  some  kind.  But  I  can 
tell  better  by  and  by  what  to  do." 

Gilbert  went  up  to  his  room,  and  Mrs.  Crawford 
and  Roswell  were  left  alone. 

"  I  wish  you  were  at  Rockwell  &  Cooper's,  Ros- 
well," said  his  mother. 

"  So  do  I,  mother  ;  but  it's  no  use  wishing." 

"  I  don't  know  about  that.  Your  cousin  ought  to 
have  some  influence  there." 

"  The  boot-black's  in  the  waj7." 

"  He  may  not  be  in  the  way  always.  Tour  cousin 
may  detect  him  in  something  that  will  cause  his  dis- 
charge." 

"  Even  if  he  does,  I've  tried  once  to  get  in  there, 
and  didn't  succeed.  They  didn't  seem  to  take  a 
fancy  to  me." 

"  I  shouldn't  expect  them  to,  if  they  take  a  fancy 
to  a  common  street  boy.  But  when  they  find  him 
out,  they  may  change  their  opinion  of  you." 

"  I  don't  know  how  that  will  be,  mother.     At  any 


118  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OB,    THE 

rate,  I  think  I  ought  to  get  more  than  four  dollars  a 
week  where  I  am.  Why,  there's  Talbot,  only  two 
years  older  than  I,  gets  eight  dollars,  and  I  do  more 
than  he.  To  tell  the  truth,  I  don't  like  the  place.  1 
don't  like  to  be  seen  carrying  round  bundles.  It 
isn't  fit  work  for  a  gentleman's  son." 

Roswell  forgot  that  many  of  the  most  prosperous 
merchants  in  the  city  began  in  that  way,  only  on  less 
wages.  One  who  wants  to  climb  the  ladder  of  suc- 
cess must,  except  in  very  rare  cases,  commence  at 
the  lowest  round.  This  was  what  Roswell  did  not 
like.  He  wanted  to  begin  half-way  up  at  the  very 
least.  It  was  a  great  hindrance  to  him  that  he  re- 
garded himself  as  a  gentleman's  son,  and  was  puffed 
up  with  a  corresponding  sense  of  his  own  importance 

The  more  Roswell  thought  of  his  ill-requited  servi- 
ces, as  he  considered  them,  the  more  he  felt  ag- 
grieved. It  may  be  mentioned  that  he  was  employed 
in  a  dry  goods  store  on  Sixth  Avenue,  and  was 
chiefly  engaged  in  carrying  out  bundles  for  custom 
ers.  A  circumstance  which  occurred  about  this  time 
deepened  his  disgust  with  the  place. 

About  the  middle  of  the  next  week  he  was  carry- 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  119 

ing  a  heavy  bundle  to  a  house  on  Madison  Avenue. 
Now  it  happened  that  Mr.  Rockwell,  who,  it  will  be 
remembered,  lived  on  the  same  street,  had  left  home 
that  morning,  quite  forgetting  an  important  letter 
which  he  had  received,  and  which  required  an  earlv 
answer.  He  therefore  summoned  Dick,  and  said, 
"  Richard,  do  you  remember  the  location  of  my 
house  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Dick. 

"I  find  I  have  left  an  important  letter  at  home.  I 
have  written  a  line  to  my  wife,  that  she  may  know 
where  to  look  for  it.     I  want  you  to  go  up  at  once." 

"Very  well,  sir." 

Dick  took  the  note,  and,  walking  to  Broadway, 
jumped  on  board  an  omnibus,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
found  himself  opposite  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel. 
Here  he  alighted,  and,  crossing  the  Park,  entered 
Madison  Avenue,  then  as  now  lined  with  fine 
houses. 

Walking  briskly  up  the  avenue,  he  overtook  a  boy 
of  about  his  own  size,  with  a  large  bundle  under  his 
arm.  Glancing  at  him  as  he  passed,  he  recoguized 
Roswell  Crawford. 


120  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"How  are  3^011,  Crawford?"  said  Dick,  in  an  off- 
hand manner. 

Roswell  looked  at  the  speaker,  whom  he  recog- 
nized. 

"  I'm  well,"  said  he,  in  a  stiff,  ungracious  manner'. 

Ashamed  of  the  large  bundle  he  was  carrying,  he 
would  rather  have  been  seen  by  any  boy  than  Dick, 
under  present  circumstances.  He  did  not  fail  to  no- 
tice Dick's  neat  dress,  and  the  gold  chain  displayed 
on  his  vest.  Indeed  there  was  nothing  in  Dick's 
appearance  which  would  have  been  inconsistent  with 
the  idea  that  he  lived  on  the  avenue,  and  was,  what 
Roswell  claimed  to  be,  a  gentleman's  son.  It  seemed 
to  Roswell  that  Dick  was  immensely  presumptuous 
in  swaggering  up  Madison  Avenue  in.  such  a  style,  as 
he  mentally  called  it,  and  he  formed  the  benevolent 
design  of  "  taking  down  his  pride,"  and  making  him 
feel  uncomfortable,  if  possible. 

"  Have  you  lost  your  place?"  he  inquired. 

"  No,"  said  Dick,  "  not  yet.  It's  very  kind  of  you 
to  inquire." 

"I  suppose  they  pay  you, for  walking  the  streets, 
then,"  he  said,  with  a  sneer. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  121 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick,  composedly  ;  "  that's  one  of  the 
things  they  pay  me  for." 

"I  suppose  you  like  it  better  than  blacking 
boots?"  said  Roswell,  who,  supposing  that  Dick  was 
ashamed  of  his  former  occupation,  felt  a  malicious 
pleasure  in  reminding  him  of  it. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick,  "  I  like  it  better  on  the  whole  ; 
but  then  there's  some  advantages  about  boot-black- 
in'." 

"  Indeed  !  "  said  Roswell,  superciliously.  "  As 
I  was  never  in  the  business,  I  can't  of  course 
decide." 

"Then  I  was  in  business  for  myself,  you  see,  and 
was  my  own  master.  Now  I  have  to  work  for 
another  man." 

"  You  don't  seem  to  be  working  very  hard  now," 
said  Roswell,  enviously. 

"  Not  very,"  said  Dick.  "  You  must  be  tired 
carrying  that  heavy  bundle.  I'll  carry  it  for  you  as 
far  as  I  go." 

Roswell,  who  was  not  above  accepting  a  favor 
from  a  boy  he  didn't  like,  willingly  transferred  it  to 
our  hero. 


122  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"  I  carried  it  out  just  to  oblige,"  he  said,  as  if  he 
were  not  in  the  daily  habit  of  carrying  such  pack- 
ages. 

"  That's  very  kind  of  you,"  said  Dick. 

Eoswell  did  not  know  whether  Dick  spoke  sarcas- 
tically or  not,  and  therefore  left  the  remark  un- 
noticed. 

"  I  don't  think  I  shall  stay  where  I  am  very  long," 
he  said. 

"  Don't  you  like?  "  asked  Dick. 

"  Not  very  well.  I'm  not  obliged  to  work  for  a 
living,"  added  Roswell,  loftily,  but  not  altogether 
truly. 

"  I  am,"  said  Dick.  "  I've  had  to  work  for  a  liv- 
ing ever  since  I  was  six  years  old.  I  suppose  you 
work  because  you  like  it." 

"  I'm  learning  business.  I'm  going  to  be  a  mer- 
chant, as  my  father  was." 

"  I'll  have  to  give  up  the  bundle  now,"  said  Dick. 
"  This  is  as  far  as  I  am  going." 

Eoswell  took  back  his  bundle,  and  Dick  went  up 
the  steps  of  Mr.  Eockwell's  residence  and  rang  the 
door-bell. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  123 


CHAPTER    X. 

A   STOKE   ON    SIXTH    AVENUE.  „ 

Roswell  kept  on  his  way  with  his  heavy  bundle, 
more  discontented  than  ever.  The  bundle  seemed 
heavier  than  ever.  Dick  had  no  such  bundles  to 
cany.  He  had  an  easier  time,  his  business  position 
was  better,  and  his  wages  more  than  double.  And 
all  this  in  spite  of  the  glaring  fact  that  Roswell  was 
a  gentleman's  son,  and  Dick  wasn't.  Surely  fortune 
was  very  blind,  and  unfair  in  the  distribution  of  her 
favors. 

"  I  suppose  he'll  be  crowing  over  me,"  thought 
Roswell,  bitterly,  judging  from  what  would  have 
been  his  own  feeling  had  the  case  been  reversed.  "  I 
hope  he'll  have  to  go  back  to  boot-blacking  some 
day.  I  wish  mother'd  buy  me  a  gold  watch  and 
chain.     There'd  be  some  sense  in  my  wearing  it." 

Roswell  evidently  thought  it  very  inappropriate  that 
Dick   should   wear   a   handsome   gold   watch,   more 


124  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

especially  as  he  was  quite  sure  beforehand  that  his 
mother  would  not  gratify  his  own  desire  to  possess 
one.     Still  he  resolved  to  ask. 

There  was  another  thing  be  meant  to  ask.  Feel- 
ing that  his  services  were  worth  more  than  the  wages 
he  received,  and  convincing  himself  that  his  employ- 
ers would  be  unwilling  to  lose  him,  he  determined  to 
ask  an  advance  of  two  dollars  a  week,  making  sis 
dollars  in  all.  Not  that  he  considered  that  even  this 
would  pay  him,  but  as  he  could  hardly  hope  that  he 
would  be  appreciated  according  to  his  deserts,  he 
limited  his  request  to  that  sum.  He  concluded  to 
defer  making  his  application  until  Saturday  evening, 
when  he  would  receive  his  week's  wages. 

He  consulted  his  mother  upon  this  subject,  and 
she,  having  nearly  as  high  an  opinion  of  her  promis- 
ing son  as  he  had  himself,  consented  to  the  applica- 
tion. If  his  cousin,  James  Gilbert,  had  heard  of  his 
intention,  he  was  enough  of  a  business  man  to  have 
dissuaded  him  from  the  attempt.  Though  he  saw  fit 
to  espouse  the  cause  of  Roswell  against  Dick,  it  was 
more  because  he  disliked  the  latter  than  because  he 
was  blind  to  the  faults  of  the  former.     Indeed,  he  had 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  125 

a  very  moderate  opinion  of  bis  young  cousin's  capa- 
bilities. 

Tbe  days  slipped  by,  and  Saturday  nigbt  came.    It 
was  nine  o'clock  before  Roswell  was  released,  the 
Saturday-night   trade   being  the  best  of  the  week. 
The  other  clerks  had  been  paid,  Ros well's  turn  com 
ing  last,  because  he  was  the  youngest. 

The  designation  of  the  firm  was  Hall  &  Turner. 
Mr.  Hall,  the  senior  partner,  usually  went  homo 
early  in  the  evening ;  and  Mr.  Turner,  the  junior 
partner,  a  man  of  about  thirty-five,  attended  to  the 
evening  business,  and  paid  the  weekly  wages. 

"  Here,  Crawford,"  he  said,  counting  out  four  one 
dollar  bills  ;  "  it's  your  turn  now." 

"  I  want  to  speak  to  you  for  a  moment,  Mr 
Turner,"  said  Roswell,  beginning  to  feel  a  little  ner- 
vous ;  for  now  that  the  time  had  come  for  making  his 
request,  he  felt  a  little  uncertain  how  it  would  be  re- 
ceived. 

"Very  well,"  said  his  employer,  showing  a  little 
surprise ;  "  be  quick  about  it,  for  I  want  to  get 
through." 


126  FAME   AND  FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"  I  want  to  know  if  you  will  not  be  willing  to  raise 
my  wages,"  said  Roswell,  rather  awkwardly. 

"  On  what  ground  do  you  ask  for  it?"  said  Mr. 
Turner,  looking  up. 

"I  thought  I  might  be  worth  more,"  said  Ros- 
well. 

"  How  long  have  you  been  in  my  employment,  — 
do  y ou  remember  ?  " 

"  About  four  months,"  said  Roswell. 

"  Do  you  think  you  have  learned  enough  in  that 
time  to  make  you  worth  more?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Roswell,  with  a  little  hesitation. 

f*  How  much  more  would  satisfy  you?  " 

"  Two  dollars  more,  —  for  the  present,"  said  Ros- 
well, beginning  to  feel  a  little  hopeful. 

"  That  is  six  dollars  a  week." 

"  Yes,  sir."     ■ 

"And  how  soon  would  you  expect  another  ad- 
vance ?  "  asked  Mr.  Turner,  quietly. 

"  In  about  six  months." 

"You  are  quite  moderate  in  your  demands,  cer- 
tainly." 

There  was  something  in  Mr.  Turner's  tone  which 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  127 

struck  Roswell  as  unfavorable,  and  he  hastily  said  in 
his  own  justification  :  — 

"  There's  a  friend  of  mine,  no  older  than  I  am,  who 
gets  ten  dollars  a  week." 

Certainly  Roswell  must  have  spoken  inadvertently, 
or  he  would  hardly  have  referred  to  Dick  as  his 
friend  ;  but  his  main  idea  at  present  was  to  produce 
an  impression  upon  the  mind  of  Mr.  Turner. 

"  Is  j'our  friend  in  a  dry  goods  store?  "  asked  Mr. 
Turner. 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Then  I  don't  see  that  his  wages  have  any  bearing 
upon  your  case.  There  may  be  some  special  circum- 
stances that  affect  his  compensation.  How  long  has 
he  been  in  the  service  of  his  present  employer  ?  " 

"  Only  a  week  or  two." 

"  Is  this  his  first  place?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  It  may  be  that  he  is  some  relative  of  his  employ- 
er." 

"  That  isn't  very  likely,"  said  Roswell,  his  lip 
curling.  "He  used  to  be  a  boot-black  about  the 
streets." 


128  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"  Indeed ! "  said  Mr.  Turner,  keenly.  "  I  think 
you  said  he  was  a  friend  of  yours." 

"  No,  sir,"  said  Roswell,  proudly ;  "I  haven't  the 
honor." 

"  You  certainly  said  '  There's  a  friend  of  mine,  no 
older  than  I  am,  who  gets  ten  dollars  a  week.'" 

"  I  didn't  mean  to  speak  of  him  as  my  friend,'' 
said  Roswell ;  "  I'm  a  gentleman's  son." 

"  If  you  are,  his  friendship  might  do  you  no  harm. 
If  he  receives  the  wages  you  state,  he  must  be  a 
smart  fellow.  If  he  didn't  earn  as  much,  probably 
he  would  not  receive  it." 

"  I  don't  believe  he'll  keep  his  place  long," 
muttered  Roswell,  his  wish  being  father  to  the 
thought. 

"  If  he  doesn't,  you  may  be  able  to  succeed  him," 
said  Mr.  Turner.  "  I  shall  be  compelled  to  refuse 
your  request.  Indeed,  so  far  from  increasing  your 
compensation,  I  have  been  considering  during  the 
last  week  whether  it  would  not  be  for  my  interest  to 
get  another  boy  in  your  place." 

"  Sir !  "  exclaimed  Roswell,  in  dismay. 

"I  will  give  you  my  reasons.    You   appear  to 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  129 

think  yourself  of  too  great  consequence  to  discharge 
properly  the  duties  of  your  position.", 

"  I  don't  understand  you,  sir,"  stammered  Ros- 
well. 

"  I  believe  you  claim  to  be  a  gentleman's  son." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Roswell.  "  My  father  used  to 
keep  a  store  on  Broadway." 

"  And  I  am  led  to  suppose  you  think  it  incompati- 
ble with  your  dignity  to  carry  bundles  to  different 
parts  of  the  city." 

"  I  would  rather  stand  behind  the  counter  and  sell 
goods,"  said  Roswell. 

"  Of  course  you  will  be  a  salesman  in  time,  if  you 
stick  to  business  faithfully.  But  it  so  happens  that 
we  didn't  hire  you  as  a  salesman,  but  as  a  boy,  whose 
chief  business  it  should  be  to  carry  bundles.  But  Ave 
don't  want  to  impose  a  disagreeable  duty  upon  you. 
Therefore,  if  you  think  upon  reflection  that  you  would 
prefer  not  to  continue  in  your  situation,  we  will  hire 
somebody  else." 

"That  won't  be  necessary,  sir,"  said  Roswell, 
considerably  crestfallen. 

"  You  are  content,  then,  to  remain?" 


130  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OK,    THE 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"And  upon  four  dollars  a  week?" 

"Yes,  sir.  I  suppose  I  may  hope  to  have  my 
wages  increased  some  time  ?  " 

"When  we  find  your  services  worth  more,  you 
shall  receive  more,"  said  Mr.  Turner.  "  That  is  fair, 
—  isn't  it?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Then  here  is  your  money.  I  didn't  mean  to  talk 
so  long ;  hut  it's  as  well  to  come  to  an  understand- 
ing." 

Roswell  left  the  store  considerably  crestfallen.  He 
found  that,  instead  of  regarding  him  worth  an  advance 
of  wages,  Mr.  Turner  had  had  it  in  his  mind  to  dis- 
charge him ;  and  that  hurt  his  pride.  It  was  certainly 
very  singular  that  people  shouldn't  be  more  im- 
pressed with  the  fact  that  he  was  a  gentleman's  son. 
He  could  not  have  received  less  deference  if  he  had 
been  an  ex-boot-black,  like  Dick  himself.  He  cer- 
tainly was  no  more  contented  than  before,  nor  was 
his  self-appreciation  materially  diminished.  If  the 
world  did  not  recognize  his  claims,  there  was  one 
comfort,   his  mother   appreciated   him,   and   he   ap- 


FROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  131 

predated  himself.  As  to  Ms  cousin,  he  did  not  feel 
quite  so  certain. 

"Why  are  you  so  late,  Eoswell?"  asked  his 
mother,  looking  up  from  her  work  as  he  entered.  "  It 
seems  to  me  they  kept  you  later  than  usual  at  the 
store,  even  for  Saturday  evening." 

"  I'm  sick  of  the  store,"  said  Eoswell,  impatiently. 

"What's  the  matter?" 

"I  asked  old  Turner  to-night  if  he  wouldn't  raise 
my  wages,"  said  Roswell. 

"Well,  what  did  he  say?" 

"  He  said  he  wouldn't  do  it." 

"  Did  he  give  any  reason?  " 

"  He  said  I  didn't  earn  any  more.  He's  a  stingy 
old  hunks,  any  way,  and  I  wish  I  was  in  another 
place." 

"  So  do  I ;  hut  it  isn't  so  easy  to  get  a  new  position, 
You  had  hetter  stay  in  this  till  another  offers." 

"  I  hate  carrying  bundles  through  the  streets.  It 
isn't  fit  work  for  a  gentleman's  son." 

"  Ah,  if  your  poor  father  had  lived,  things  would 
have  been  very  different  with  us  all ! "  said  Mrs. 
Crawford,  with  a  sigh.     She  chose  to  forget  that 


132  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    07J,    THE 

previous  to  his  death  her  late  husband's  habits  had 
been  such  that  he  contributed  very  little  to  the  com- 
fort or  support  of  the  family. 

"  I  wouldn't  care  if  I  were  a  salesman,"  continued 
Eoswell ;  "  but  I  don't  like  being  an  errand  boy.  I'd 
just  as  lives  go  to  the  post-office  for  letters,  or  to  the 
bank  with  money,  but,  as  for  carrying  big  bundles  of 
calico  under  my  arm,  I  don't  like  it.  I  was  walking 
on  Madison  Avenue  the  other  day  with  a  ten-pound 
bundle,  when  the  boot-black  came  up,  dressed  hand- 
somely, with  a  gold  watch  and  chain,  and  exulted 
over  me  for  carrying  such  a  big  bundle." 

There  was  a  little  exaggeration  about  this,  for 
Dick  was  very  far  from  exulting  over  Eoswell,  other- 
wise he  certainly  would  not  have  volunteered  to 
carry  the  bundle  himself.  But  it  often  happens  that 
older  persons  than  Eoswell  are  not  above  a  little 
misrepresentation  now  and  then. 

"He's  an  impudent  fellow,  then!"  said  Mrs. 
Crawford,  indignantly.  "  Then  Mr.  Hall  won't  raise 
your  wages  ?  " 

"  It  wasn't  Mr.  Hall  I  asked.  It  was  Mr.  Turner," 
said  Eoswell. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  133 

"  Didn't  he  hold  out  any  hopes  of  raising  your 
wages  hereafter  ?  " 

"  He  said  he  would  raise  them  when  I  deserve  it. 
He  don't  amount  to  much.  He's  no  gentleman,"  said 
Roswell,  scornfully. 

"Who's  no  gentleman  ?  "  inquired  James  Gilbert, 
who  chanced  just  then  to  enter  the  room. 

"  Mr.  Turner." 

"Who's  Mr.  Turner?" 

"  My  employer,  —  Hall  &  Turner,  you  know." 

"  What's  amiss  with  him?  " 

"  I  asked  him  to  raise  my  wages  to-night,  and  he 
wouldn't." 

"  Umph !     How  much  did  you  ask  for?" 

"  Two  dollars  more  a  week." 

"  You're  a  fool !  " 

"  What!"  said  Roswell,  astonished. 

"  What  !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Crawford,  angrily. 

"  I  say  the  lad's  a  fool  to  ask  for  so  large  an  ad- 
vance so  soon.  Of  course  his  employers  refused  it. 
I  would,  in  their  place." 

"  You're  very  hard  upon  the  poor  boy !  "  said  Mrs. 
Crawford.     "  I  thought  you  were  his  friend." 


134:  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"  So  I  am ;  but  he's  acted  foolishly  for  all  that. 
He  should  have  known  better." 

"  I  ought  to  be  worth  six  dollars,  if  your  boot- 
black is  worth  ten,"  responded  Roswell. 

"  He  isn't  worth  ten." 

"  Why  do  you  pay  him  that,  then?  " 

"  It's  Mr.  Rockwell  who  pays  him,  not  I.  Why  he 
does  it,  I  can't  say.  It  isn't  because  he  earns  it.  No 
boy  of  his  age,  or  yours  either,  can  earn  ten  dollars  a 
week." 

"  At  any  rate  he  gets  ten,  and  I  get  only  four.  I 
certainly  earn  more  than  that,"  said  Roswell. 

"  I  am  not  so  sure  about  that,"  said  his  cousin. 
"  But  if  it  will  afford  you  any  comfort,  I'll  venture  to 
make  the  prediction  that  he  won't  remain  in  Rock- 
well &  Cooper's  employment  a  week  longer." 

"Has  anything  happened?"  asked  Roswell, 
eagerly. 

" Not  yet"  said  James  Gilbert,  significantly. 

"  Then  something  is  going  to  happen? " 

"  You  need  not  trouble  yourself  to  ask  questions. 
Wait  patiently,  and  when  anything  happens  I'll  let 
you  know  '* 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  135 

Here  James  Gilbert  left  the  room,  and  went  up  to 
his  own  chamber.  His  words  had  excited  hope  in 
both  Roswell  and  his  mother.  The  former  felt  that 
it  would  be  a  satisfaction  to  him  to  learn  that  Dick 
had  lost  his  situation,  even  if  he  failed  to  get  it  him- 
self. 


136  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 


CHAPTER    XI. 

A  NEW  ALLIANCE. 

The  name  of  Micky  Maguire  is  already  famiiiar  to 
the  readers  of  "  Ragged  Dick."  He  had  acquired  a 
prominent  position  among  the  down-town  boot-blacks, 
by  his  strength,  which  he  used  oftentimes  to  impose 
upon  boys  weaker  than  himself.  He  was  a  young 
ruffian,  indeed,  with  few  redeeming  qualities.  When 
Dick  was  in  the  same  business,  he  tried  on  two  or 
three  occasions  to  make  him  acknowledge  his  superi- 
ority ;  but  it  was  not  in  Dick's  nature  to  be  subser- 
vient to  any  one  whom  he  did  not  respect.  Moreover, 
Dick  had  two  good  stout  arms  of  his  own,  and  knew 
how  to  use  them  in  self-defence.  The  consequence 
was  that  Micky  Maguire  signally  failed  in  the  at- 
tempts which  he  made  on  different  occasions  to  hum- 
ble our  hero,  and  was  obliged  to  slink  off  in  discom- 
fiture with  his  satellite,  Limpy  Jim. 

The  last  glimpse  we  had  of  Micky  was  in  Dick's 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  13? 

cast-off  clothes,  of  which  by  some  means,  probably 
not  honest,  he  had  become  possessed.  He  did  not 
wear  them  long,  however.  The  famous  Washington 
coat  and  Napoleon  pants  were  only  mortal,  and,  be- 
ing already  of  venerable  antiquity,  became  at  length 
too  fragmentary  even  for  Micky's  not  very  fastidious 
taste.  One  morning,  accordingly,  having  levied  an 
unwilling  contribution  from  a  weaker  but  more  in- 
dustrious boot-black,  Micky  went  to  Baxter  Street, 
and  invested  it  in  a  blue  coat  with  brass  buttons, 
which,  by  some  strange  chain  of  circumstances,  had 
found  its  way  thither  from  some  country  town,  where 
it  may  at  one  time  have  figured  at  trainings  and  on 
town-meeting  days.  A  pair  of  overalls  completed 
Micky's  costume.  He  dispensed  with  a  vest,  his 
money  not  having  been  sufficient  to  buy  that  also. 

Certainly  Micky  presented  a  noticeable  figure  as 
he  stood  in  the  City  Hall  Park,  clad  in  the  above- 
mentioned  garments.  He  was  rather  proud  of  the 
brass  buttons,  and  may  even  have  fancied,  in  his  un- 
cultivated taste,  that  his  new  costume  became  him. 

While  he  was  swaggering  about  he  espied  part  of 
a  cigar,  which  some  one  had  thrown  aside.     Micky, 


138  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

who  was  fond  of  smoking,  picked  it  up,  and  looked 
about  him  for  a  light,  not  being  provided  with  a 
match.  A  young  man  was  slowly  crossing  the  park 
with  a  cigar  in  his  mouth.  But  he  was  evidently 
plunged  in  thought,  and  hardly  conscious  of  the 
scene  about  him.  Micky  observed  this,  and  a  cun- 
ning scheme  suggested  itself. 

He  walked  up  to  the  young  man,  and  said,  cava- 
lierly, "  Give  us  a  light,  mister,  will  yer?  " 

The  young  man  mechanically  took  the  cigar  from 
his  mouth,  and  passed  it  to  the  questioner  without 
observing  who  he  was.  Had  he  clone  so,  it  is  doubt- 
ful whether  the  request  would  have  been  complied 
with. 

Rapidly  calculating  that  he  would  not  notice  the 
substitution,  Micky,  after  lighting  the  "  stub," 
handed  it  to  the  young  man,  retaining  the  good 
cigar  himself,  and  placing  it  straightway  in  his 
mouth. 

This  trick  would  probably  have  parsed  off  unde- 
tected, if  it  had  not  been  observed  by  some  of 
Micky's  fellow-professionals. 

A  jeering  laugh  from  these  called  the  young  man'3 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  1  39 

attention  to  the  substitution,  and,  with  a  look  of 
indignation,  he  said,  "  You  young  rascal,  you  shall 
pay  for  this  !  " 

But  Micky  evaded  his  grasp,  and  scudded  rapidly 
through  the  park,  pursued  by  the  victim  of  misplaced 
confidence. 

"  Run,  Micky ;  I'll  bet  on  you !  "  cried  Pat  Nevins, 
encouragingly. 

"  Go  it,  long  legs  !  "  said  another,  who  backed  the 
opposite  party.  "  Give  him  a  good  lickin'  when  you 
catch  him." 

"  Maybe  you'd  have  to  wait  too  long  for  that," 
said  Pat. 

"  Leavo  yer  cigar  wid  us,  mister,"  said  another 
boy. 

James  Gilbert,  for  he  was  the  young  man  in  ques- 
tion, began  to  find  that  he  was  becoming  rather  ridic- 
ulous, and  felt  that  he  would  rather  let  Micky  go 
free  than  furnish  a  spectacle  to  the  crowd  of  boot- 
blacks who  were  surveying  the  chase  with  eager 
interest.  He  accordingly  stopped  short,  and,  throw- 
ing down  the  "  stub,"  prepared  to  leave  the  park. 

"  Don't  give  it  up,  mister !     You'll   catch   him," 


140  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;    07?,    THE 

said  his  first  backer.  "  Micky  can't  run  far. 
Ragged  Dick  give  him  a  stretcher  once." 

"  Ragged  Dick !  "  said  Gilbert,  turning  abruptly 
*t  the  sound  of  this  name. 

"  Maybe  you  know  him?  " 

"  Does  he  black  boots  ?  " 

"  He  used  to,  but  he  don't  now." 

"What  does  he  do?" 

"  Oh,  he's  a  swell  now,  and  wears  good  clothes." 

"How  is  that?" 

"  He's  in  a  store,  and  gets  good  pay." 

"  "What's  the  name  of  the  boy  that  ran  away  with 
my  cigar  ?  " 

"  Micky  Maguire." 

"  Was  he  a  friend  of  Ragged  Dick,  as  you  call 
him?" 

"  Not  much.     They  had  two  or  three  fights." 

"Which  beat?" 

"  Dick.    He  can  fight  bully." 

Gilbert  felt  disappointed.  He  was  in  hopes  our 
hero  had  met  with  a  defeat.  Somehow  he  seemed 
born  for  success. 

"  Then  1  suppose  Maguire  hates  him?" 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  1  41 

"  I'll  bet  he  does." 

"  Humph ! "  thought  Gilbert ;  "  I  may  turn  his 
enmity  to  some  account.     Let  me  consider  a  little." 

At  length  a  plan  suggested  itself,  and  his  counte- 
nance cleared  up,  and  assumed  an  expression  of 
satisfaction.  On  reaching  home  he  held  the  conver- 
sation with  Roswell  and  his  mother  which  has  been 
recorded  at  the  close  of  the  last  chapter. 

Meantime  Micky  went  home  to  a  miserable  lodg- 
ing on  Worth  Street,  in  the  precincts  of  the  Five 
Points,  and  very  near  where  the  Five  Points  House 
of  Industry  now  stands.  This  admirable  institution 
has  had  a  salutary  influence,  and  contributed  greatly 
to  the  improvement  of  the  neighborhood.  Then, 
however,  it  was  about  as  vile  and  filthy  as^  could  well 
be. 

Micky  exulted  not  a  little  at  the  success  of  his 
cunning,  and  smoked  the  cigar  —  an  expensive  one, 
by  the  way  —  with  not  a  little  satisfaction.  He  re- 
counted the"  story  to  a  group  of  admiring  friends  who 
had  not  been  fortunate  enough  to  witness  it. 

"  It's  you  that's  got  the  cheek,  Micky,"  said  Teddy 
Donovan. 


142  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"  You  did  it  neat,"  said  another.  "  Maybe  I'll  try 
that  same,  some  day?* 

"  You'd  better  not.  The  copp  might  get  hold  of 
you." 

"  Was  it  a  good  cigar,  Micky?" 

"  Wasn't  it,  just !  I  wish  I'd  got  another.  Stand 
treat,  Teddy." 

"  I  would  if  I  had  the  stamps.  I'm  savin'  up  my 
money  to  go  to  the  Old  BoAvery  to-night." 

The  boys  were  standing  in  a  little  group,  and  in 
the  interest  of  their  discussion  did  not  observe  the 
approach  of  James  Gilbert,  who  was  now  visiting  the 
park  with  a  special  object  in  view.  With  an  expres- 
sion of  satisfaction  he  recognized  the  boy  who  had 
served  him  a  trick  the  day  before.  Indeed,  it  was 
not  easy  to  mistake  Micky.  The  blue  coat  with 
brass  buttons  and  the  faded  overalls  would  have  be- 
trayed him,  even  if  his  superior  height  had  not  dis- 
tinguished him  from  his  comrades. 

Had  Micky  been  aware  of  Gilbert's  approach  he 
would  have  thought  it  prudent  to  "  change  his  base  ; " 
but,  his  back  being  turned,  he  was  taken  by  surprise. 
His  attention  was  drawn  by  a  tap  on  the  shoulder, 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  143 

and,  looking  round,  lie  recognized  his  enemy,  as  he 
regarded  him.  He  started  to  run,  but  was  withheld 
by  a  strong  grasp. 

"  Leave  me  alone,  will  yer?"  he  said,  ducking  his 
head  as  if  he  expected  a  blow. 

"  I  believe  you  are  fond  of  smoking,"  said  Gilbert, 
continuing  to  hold  him  tight. 

Micky  maintained  silence. 

"  And  sometimes  exchange  a  poor  cigar  for  a  good 
one  ?  "  continued  his  captor. 

"  It  was  a  mistake,"  said  Micky. 

"  What  did  you  run  for,  then?  " 

"What  you  going  to  do  about  it,  mister?"  asked 
one  boy,  curiously. 

"  So  it  was  a  mistake,  —  was  it?"  said  Gilbert. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Micky,  glibly. 

"Take  care  you  don't  make  the  mistake  again, 
then.     Now  you  may  black  my  boots." 

Not  only  the  boys  who  were  standing  by,  but 
Micky  himself,  were  considerably  surprised  at  this 
unexpected  turn.  They  confidently  expected  that 
Micky  would  "  get  a  lickin',"  and  instead  of  that,  he 
had  found  a  customer.      Their  respect  for  Gilbert 


144:  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OH,    THE 

was  considerably  diminished  for  failing  to  exact  pun- 
ishment, and,  their  interest  in  the  affair  being  over, 
they  withdrew. 

Micky  laid  down  his  box,  and  commenced  opera- 
tions. 

"How  long  have  you  been  a  boot-black?"  asked 
Gilbert. 

"  Five  years  —  goin'  on  six,'"  said  Micky. 

"  Can  you  earn  much?  " 

"  No,"  said  Micky.  "  Business  aint  very  good 
now." 

"  You  manage  to  dress  well,"  said  Gilbert,  with  an 
amused  look  at  Micky's  habiliments. 

"  Yes,"  said  Micky,  with  a  glance  at  the  brass  but- 
tons ;  "  but  I  had  to  borrer  the  money  to  buy  my 
clo'es." 

"There  used  to  be  a  boy  around  here  that  was 
called  Dick.     Did  you  know  him  ?  " 

"  There  be  a  good  many  Dicks.  Which  did  you 
mean  ?  " 

"  This  boy  was  nearly  your  size.  I  believe  they 
called  him  '  Ragged  Dick.' " 

"  I  know'd  him,"  said  Micky,  shortly,  with  a  scowl. 


PBOGEESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  145 

"  Was  he  a  friend  of  yours  ?  " 

"  No,  he  wasn't.     I  give  him  a  lickin'  once." 

The  fact  happened  to  be  the  other  way  ;  but  Micky 
was  not  very  scrupulous  as  to  the  strict  truth  of  his 
statements. 

"  You  don't  like  him,  then?    "Where  is  he  now?" 

"  He's  in  a  store,  and  swells  round  with  good 
clothes." 

"Have  you  seen  him  lately?" 

"  No,  an'  I  don't  want  to." 

"  He  wears  a  gold  watch  now.  I  suppose  he 
wouldn't  have  anything  to  say  to  you." 

"  Maybe  not,"  said  Mickey. 

"  It  would  be  a  good  joke  if  he  should  lose  his 
place  and  have  to  go  back  to  boot-blacking  again." 

"  I  wish  he  would,"  said  Micky,  fervently.  "  It 
'ould  cure  him  of  puttin'  on  airs." 

"If,  for  example,  his  employer  should  be  con- 
vinced that  he  was  a  thief,  he  would  discharge 
him." 

"Do  you  know  him,  mister?"  asked  Micky,  look- 
ing up  suddenly. 

"  Yes." 

10 


146  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR.    THE 

"  Is  he  a  friend  of  jTours  ?  " 

"  I  like  him  about  as  well  as  you  do,"  said  Gilbert." 

"  Done  ! "  said  Micky,  releasing  the  second  foot. 

"  Suppose  you  brush  the  other  boot  again.  I'll 
pay  you  double.     I  want  to  talk  to  you  a  little." 

"All  right!"  said  Micky,  and  he  resumed  opera- 
tions. 

The  conversation  that  followed  we  do  not  propose 
to  chronicle.  The  results  will  appear  hereafter. 
Enough  that  Gilbert  and  Micky  departed  mutually 
satisfied,  the  latter  the  richer  by  five  times  his  usual 
fee. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  147 


CHAPTER    XII 


DICK  FALLS  INTO  A  TRAP. 


One  evening,  when  Dick  and  Fosdick  returned  from 
their  respective  stores,  a  surprise  awaited  them. 

"  The  postman  left  some  letters  for  you,"  said  the 
servant,  as  she  opened  the  door  to  admit  them. 

"  Maybe  they're  from  the  tax-collectors,"  said 
Dick.  "  That's  the  misfortun'  of  being  men  of 
property.     "What  was  your  tax  last  year,  Fosdick  ?  " 

"  I  don't  remember  such  trifles,"  said  Fosdick. 

"  I  don't  think  they  was  taxes,"  said  the  girl, 
seriously  ;  "  they  looked  as  if  they  was  from  a  young 
lady." 

"  Yery  likely  they  are  from  Fosdick's  wife,"  said 
Dick.  "  She's  rusticatin'  in  the  country  for  the 
benefit  of  her  health." 

"  Maybe  they're  from  yours,  Mr.  Hunter,"  said 
the  girl,  laughing. 

"No,"   said  Dick,  gravely,  "I'm  a  disconsolate 


14S  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OE,    THE 

widower,  which  accounts  for  my  low  spirits  most  of 
the  time,  and  my  poor  appetite.  "Where  are  the 
letters?" 

"  I  left  them  on  the  bureau  in  your  room,"  said 
the  servant.  "  They  come  this  afternoon  at  three 
o'clock." 

Both  Fosdick  and  Dick  felt  not  a  little  curious 
as  to  who  could  have  written  them  letters,  and 
hastened  upstairs.  Entering  their  chamber,  they  saw 
two  very  neat  little  notes,  in  perfumed  French  en- 
velopes, and  with  the  initial  G-  in  colors  on  the  back. 
On  opening  them  they  read  the  following  in  a  neat, 
feminine,  fine  handwriting.  As  both  were  alike,  it 
will  be  sufficient  to  give  Dick's. 

"  Miss  Ida  Greyson  presents  her  compliments  to 
Mr.  Richard  Hunter,  and  solicits  the  pleasure  of  his 
company  on  Thursday  evening  next,  at  a  little  birth- 
day party. 

"  No.  —  West  Twenty-Fourth  Street." 

"  We're  getting  fashionable,"  said  Dick.  "  I  didn't 
use  to  attend  many  parties  when  we  lived  in  Mott 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   I1UNTER.  149 

Street  and  blacked  boots  for  a  livin':  I'm  afraid  I 
shan't  know  how  to  behave." 

"  I  shall  feel  a  little  bashful,"  said  Fosclick ;  "  but 
I  suppose  we've  got  to  begin  some  time." 

"  Of  course,"  said  Dick.  "  The  important  position 
"we  hold  in  society  makes  it  necessary.  How'll  I  be 
able  to  hold  levees  when  I'm  mayor,  if  I  don't  go  into 
society  now  ?  " 

u  Very  true,"  said  Fosdick ;  "I  don't  expect  to 
occupy  any  such  position ;  but  we  ought  to  go  in 
acknowledgment  of  Mr.  Greyson's  kindness." 

Mr.  Grey  son  was  the  teacher  of  the  Sunday-school 
class  of  which  both  Dick  and  Fosdick  were  members. 
His  recommendation  had  procured  Fosdick  his  pres- 
ent place,  and  he  had  manifested  his  kindness  in 
various  ways.  Those  who  have  read  "  Ragged  Dick" 
will  remember  that  he  had  a  very  sprightly  and  en- 
gaging daughter  of  ten  years  of  age,  who  seemed  to 
have  taken  an  especial  fancy  to  Dick.  Being 
wealthy,  his  kindness  had  been  of  great  service  to 
both  boys,  inspiring  them  with  self-respect,  and  en- 
couraging them  to  persevere  in  theii  efforts  to  raise 
themselves  to  a  higher  position. 


150        .         FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

The  dinner-bell  rang  just  as  the  boys  had  finished 
their  discussion,  and  they  went  down  and  took  places 
at  the  table. 

Soon  Miss  Peyton  came  sailing  in,  shaking  her 
ringlets  coquettishly.  She  was  proud  of  these  ring- 
lets, and  was  never  tired  of  trying  their  fascinations 
upon  gentlemen.  But  somehow  they  had  not  suc- 
ceeded in  winning  a  husband. 

"Good-evening,  Mr.  Hunter,"  said  she.  "You 
look  as  if  you  had  had  good  news." 

"  Do  I?  "  said  Dick.  "  Perhaps  you  can  tell  what 
it  is." 

"  I  know  how  it  came,"  said  Miss  Peyton,  sig- 
nificantly. 

"  Then  I  hope  you  won't  keep  me  in  suspense  any 
longer  than  you  can  help." 

"  Perhaps  you'd  rather  I  wouldn't  mention  before 
company." 

"  Never  mind,"  said  Dick.  "  Don't  have  any  re- 
gard to  my  feelin's.  They're  tough,  and  can  stand  a 
good  deal." 

"  How  do  you  like  the  letter  G?  "  asked  Miss  Pey- 
ton, slyly. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  151 

"  Very  much,"  said  Dick,  "  as  long  as  it  behaves 
itself.     What  is  your  favorite  letter  ?  " 

"  Don't  think  I'm  going  to  tell  you,  Mr.  Hunter. 
That  was  a  pretty  little  note,  and  in  a  young  lady's 
hand  too." 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick.  "  Perhaps  you'd  like  to  see 
it." 

"  You  wouldn't  show  it  to  me  on  any  account,  I 
know." 

"  You  may  see  it  if  you  like,"  said  Dick. 

"  May  I,  really?  I  should  like  to  very  much  ;  but 
would  the  young  lady  like  it  ?  " 

"  I  don't  think  she'd  mind.  She's  written  one  to 
my  friend  Fosdick  just  like  it." 

Dick  passed  the  invitation  across  the  table. 

"  It's  very  pretty  indeed,"  said  Miss  Peyton. 
"And  is  Miss  Ida  Grey  son  very  handsome?" 

"  I'm  no  judge  of  beauty,"  said  Dick. 
•  "  So  she  lives  in  West  Twenty-Fourth  Street.    Is 
her  father  rich  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  how  rich,"  said  Dick  ;  "  but  my  im- 
pression is  that  his  taxes  last  year  were  more  than 
mine." 


152  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE    ' 

"  1  know  now  what  your  favorite  letters  are,"  said 
Miss  Peyton.     "  They  are  I.  G." 

"I.  G.  are  very  well  as  long  as  you  don't  put  P. 
before  them,"  said  Dick.  "  Thank  you  for  another 
cup  of  tea,  Mrs.  Browning." 

"  I  should  think  you'd  need  some  tea  after  such 
a  brilliant  effort,  Hunter,"  said  Mr.  Clifton,  from 
across  the  table. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick.  "  I  find  my  brain  gets  ex- 
hausted every  now  and  then  by  my  intellectual 
efforts.     Aint  you  troubled  that  way?" 

"  Can't  say  I  am.  Don't  you  want  to  go  out  and 
try  a  game  of  billiards  this  evening  ?  " 

"  No,  thank  you.     I've  got  to  study." 

"  I  expect  to  see  you  a  college  professor  some  of 
these  clays." 

"  I  haven't  made  up  my  mind  yet,"  said  Dick. 
"  I'm  open  to  an  offer,  as  the  oyster  remarked  when 
he  was  placed  on  the  table.  If  I  can  serve  my  fellow- 
men  best  by  bein'  a  college  professor,  and  gettin'  a 
big  salary,  I'm  willin'  to  sacrifice  my  private  feelin'a 
for  the  public  good." 

"Do  you  agree  with  your  friend,  Mr.  Fosdick?' 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  153 

said  Miss  Peyton.  "  Won't  you  favor  us  with  your 
views  ?  " 

"  I  have  none  worth  mentioning,"  said  Fosdick, 
"  I  leave  my  friend  to  do  the  talking,  while  I  attend 
to  the  eating." 

"  Mr.  Hunter's  remarks  are  very  entertaining," 
said  Miss  Peyton. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Dick ;  "  but  my  friend  prefers 
a  different  kind  of  entertainment." 

The  boys  rose  from  the  table,  and  went  up  to  their 
room  to  look  over  the  evening's  lessons.  They  were 
quite  pleased  with  thdir  new  teacher,  whom  they 
found  not  only  competent  for  his  task,  but  interested 
in  promoting  their  progress.  He  was  able  to  help 
them  readily  out  of  their  difficulties,  and  encouraged 
them  to  persevere.  So  thejr  came  to  look  forward  to 
their  evening  lessons  not  as  tasks,  but  as  pleasant 
exercises. 

"  It's  strange,"  said  Dick,  one  evening  after  the 
teacher  had  left  them  ;  "I  used  to  enjoy  goin'  to  the 
Old  Bowery  so  much.  I  went  two  or  three  times  a 
week  sometimes.  Now  I  would  a  good  deal  rather 
stay  at  home  and  study." 


154  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"  Then  you  didn't  have  a  home,  and  the  lighted 
theatre  must  have  been  much  pleasanter  than  the 
cold  and  cheerless  streets." 

"  Yes,  that  was  it.  I  used  to  get  so  tired  some- 
times of  having  no  home  to  go  to,  and  nobody  to 
speak  to  that  I  cared  about." 

"  You'd  hardly  like  to  go  back  to  the  old  life, 
Dick?" 

"  No,  it  would  come  pretty  hard  to  me  now.  I 
didn't  seem  to  mind  it  so  much  then." 

"  Because  you  had  never  known  anything  bet- 
ter." 

"  No.  It  was  a  lucky  day  when  I  met  you,  Fos- 
dick.  I'd  never  have  had  the  patience  to  learn. 
Readin',  or  try  in'  to  read,  always  gave  me  the  head- 
ache." 

"  You  always  leave  off  the  last  letter  in  such  words 
as  '  reading/  Dick.  You  should  be  more  careful, 
now  that  you  associate  with  educated  persons." 

"  I  know  it,  Fosdick,  but  I'm  so  used  to  droppin' 
—  I  mean  dropping  —  the  g  that  it  comes  natural.  I 
will  try  to  remember  it.  But  about  this  party,  •  — 
shall  we  have  to  get  new  clothes  ?  " 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  155 

"  No,  we  have  each  a  nice  suit,  and  we  shan't  he  ■ 
expected  to  dress  in  the  height  of  the  fashion." 

"  I  wish  it  was  over.     I  dread  it." 

"  So  do  I  a  little  ;  but  I  think  we  shall  enjoy  it. 
Ida  is  a  nice  girl." 

"  That's  so.  If  I  had  a  sister  I'd  like  her  to  be 
like  Ida." 

"  Perhaps  she'd  like  a  brother  like  you.  I  notice 
she  seems  to  fancy  your  company." 

"  I  hope  you're  not  jealous,  Fosdick.  You  can  be 
a  brother  to  Miss  Peyton,  you  know." 

Fosdick  laughed.  "  There's  no  chance  for  me 
there  either,"  he  said.  "  She  evidently  prefers 
you." 

"  I'll  adopt  her  for  my  aunt  if  it'll  be  gratifying  to 
her  feelings,"  said  Dick ;  "  but  I  aint  partial  to  ring- 
lets as  a  general  thing." 

It  is  well  perhaps  that  Miss  Peyton  did  not  hear 
these  remarks,  as  she  cherished  the  idea  that  both 
Fosdick  and  Dick  were  particularly  pleased  with 
her 

A  day  or  two  afterwards  Dick  was  walking  lei- 
surely through  Chatham  Street,  about  half  past  one 


156  FAME  AND   FORTUNE /    On,    THE 

o'clock.  He  was  allowed  an  hour,  about  noon,  to  go 
out  and  get  some  lunch,  and  lie  was  now  on  his  way 
from  the  restaurant  which  he  usually  frequented.  As 
it  was  yet  early,  he  paused  before  a  window  to  look 
at  something  which  attracted  his  attention.  While 
standing  here  he  became  conscious  of  a  commotion 
in  his  immediate  neighborhood.  Then  he  felt  a  hand 
thrust  into  the  side-pocket  of  his  coat,  and  iustantly 
withdrawn.  Looking  up,  he  saw  Micky  Maguire 
dodging  round  the  corner.  He  put  his  hand  into  his 
pocket  mechanically,  and  drew  out  a  pocket-book. 

Just  then  a  stout,  red-faced  man  came  up  puffing, 
and  evidently  in  no  little  excitement. 

"  Seize  that  boy ! "  he  gasped,  pointing  to  Dick. 
"  He's  got  my  pocket-book." 

Contrary  to  the  usual  rule  in  such  cases,  a  police- 
man did  happen  to  be  about,  and,  following  directions, 
stepped  up,  and  laid  his  hand  on  Dick's  shoulder. 

"You  must  go  with  me,  my  fine  fellow,"  he  said. 
u  Hand  over  that  pocket-book,  if  you  please." 

"  What's  all  this  about?  "  said  Dick.  "  Here's  the 
pocket-book,  if  it  is  yours.  I'm  sure  I  don't  want 
it." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  l57 

"You're  a  cool  hand,"  said  the  guardian  of  the 
public  peace.  "  If  you  don't  want  it,  what  made  you 
steal  it  from  this  gentleman's  pocket  ?  " 

"  I  didn't  take  it,"  said  Dick,  shortly. 

"  Is  this  the  boy  that  stole  your  pocket-book? "  de- 
manded the  policeman  of  the  red-faced  man,  who  had 
now  recovered  his  breath. 

"  It's  the  very  young  rascal.  Does  he  pretend  to 
deny  it?" 

"  Of  course  he  does.     They  always  do." 

"  When  it  was  found  on  him  too !  I  never  knew 
such  barefaced  impudence." 

"  Stop  a  minute,"  said  Dick,  "  while  I  explain.  I 
was  standing  looking  in  at  that  window,  when  I  felt 
something  thrust  into  my  pocket.  I  took  it  out  and 
found  it  to  be  that  pocket-book.  Just  then  that 
gentleman  came  up,  and  charged  me  with  the 
theft." 

"  That's  a  likely  story,"  said  the  officer.  "  If  any 
one  put  the  pocket-book  into  your  pocket,  it  shows 
you  were  a  confederate  of  his.  You'll  have  to  come 
with  me." 

And  poor  Dick,  for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  was 


158  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OE,    THE 

marched  to  the  station-house,  followed  by  his  ac- 
cuser, and  a  gang  of  boys.  Among  these  last,  but 
managing  to  keep  at  a  respectful  distance  was  Micky 
Maguire. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  159 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

DICK  IN  THE   STATION-HOUSE. 

Poor  Dick !  If  Trinity  Church  spire  ha.  I  suddenly 
fallen  to  the  ground,  it  could  scarcely  have  surprised 
and  startled  him  more  than  his  own  arrest  for  theft. 

During  the  hard  apprenticeship  which  he  had  served 
as  a  street  boy,  he  had  not  been  without  his  share  of 
faults  and  errors ;  but  he  had  never,  even  under  the 
severest  pressure,  taken  what  did  not  belong  to 
him. 

Of  religious  and  moral  instruction  he  had  then  re- 
ceived none ;  but  something  told  him  that  it  was 
mean  to  steal,  and  he  was  true  to  this  instinctive 
feeling.  .Yet,  if  he  had  been  arrested  a  year  before,  it 
would  have  brought  him  less  shame  and  humiliation 
than  now.  Now  he  was  beginning  to  enjoy  the  feel- 
ing of  respectability,  which  he  had  compassed  by  his 
own  earnest  efforts.  He  felt  he  was  regarded  with 
favor  by  those  whose  good  opinion  was  worth  having, 


160  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;    OU,    THE 

and  Ms  heart  swelled  within  him  as  he  thought  that 
they  might  be  led  to  believe  him  guilty.  He  had 
never  felt  so  down-hearted  as  when  he  walked  in 
company  with  the  policeman  to  the  station-house,  to 
be  locked  up  for  examination  the  next  morning. 

"  You  wasn't  sharp  enough  this  time,  young  fellow," 
eaid  the  policeman. 

"Do  you  think  I  stole  the  pocket-book?"  asked 
Dick,  looking  up  in  the  officer's  face. 

"  Oh,  no,  of  course  not !  You  wouldn't  do  anything 
,>f  that  kind,"  said  the  policeman,  ironically. 

"No,  I  wouldn't,"  said  Dick,  emphatically.  "  I've 
been  poor  enough  and  hungry  enough  sometimes,  but 
t  never  stole.     It's  mean." 

"  What  is  your  name?  "  said  the  officer.  "  I  think 
t  have  seen  you  before." 

"  I  used  to  black  boots.  Then  my  name  was  Rag- 
ged Dick.     I  know  you.      Your  name  is  Jones." 

"  Ragged  Dick !  Yes,  yes,  I  remember.  You  used 
k>  be  pretty  well  out  at  elbows,  if  I  remember  right- 
ly." 

"  My  clothes  used  to  be  },j-etty  well  ventilated," 
said  Dick,  smiling  faintly.     "  That  was  what  made 


PROGRESS  OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  161 

me  so  healthy,  I  expect.  But  did  you  ever  know  me 
to  steal?" 

"  No,"  said  the  officer,  "  I  can't  say  I  have." 

"  I  lived  about  the  streets  for  more  then  eight 
years,"  said  Dick,  "  and  this  is  the  first  time  I  "was 
ever  arrested." 

"  What  do  you  do  now?" 

"  I'm  in  a  store  on  Pearl  Street." 

"  What  wages  do  you  get?" 

"  Ten  dollars  a  week." 

"  Do  you  expect  me  to  believe  that  story?" 

"  It's  true." 

"  I  don't  believe  there's  a  boy  of  your  age  in  the 
city  that  gets  such  wages..  You  can't  earn  that 
amount." 

"  I  jumped  into  the  water,  and  saved  the  life  of 
Mr.  Eockwell's  little  boy.  That's  why  he  pays  me  so 
much." 

"Where  did  you  get  that  watch  and  chain?  Are 
they  gold?" 

"  Yes,  Mrs.  Eockwell  gave  them  to  me." 

"  It  seems  to  me  you're  in  luck." 

"  I  wasn't  very  lucky  to  fall  in  with  you,"   said 
11 


162  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

Dick.  "  Don't  you  see  what  a  fool  I  should  be  to  be- 
gin to  pick  pockets  now  when  I  am  so  well  off  ?  " 

"  That's  true,"  said  the  officer,  who  began  to  be 
shaken  in  his  previous  conviction  of  Dick's  guilt. 

"If I'd  been  going  into  that  business,  I  would 
have  tried  it  when  I  was  poor  and  ragged  I  should 
not  have  waited  till  now." 

"  If  you  didn't  take  the  pocket-book,  then  how 
came  it  in  your  pocket  ?  "         ^ 

"  I  was  looking  in  at  a  shop  window,  when  I  felt 
it  thrust  into  my  pocket.  I  suppose  it  was  the  thief 
who  did  it,  to  get  out  of  the  scrape  himself." 

"  That  might  be.  At  any  rate,  I've  known  of  such 
cases.  If  so,  you  are  unlucky,  and  I  am  sorry  for  you. 
I  can't  let  you  go,  because  appearances  are  against 
you,  but  if  there  is  anything  I  can  do  to  help  jon  I 
will." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Jones,"  said  Dick,  gratefully. 
"  I  did  not  want  you  to  think  me  guilty.  Where  is 
the  man  that  lost  the  pocket-book  ?  " 

"  Just  behind  us." 

"  I  should  like  to  speak  to  him  a  moment.v 

The  red-faced  man,  who  was  a  little  behind,  caxue 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  IG3 

up,  and  Dick  asked,  quietly,  "What  makes  you 
think  I  took  your  pocket-book,  sir  ?  " 

"  Wasn't  it  found  in  your  pocket,  you  young; 
rascal  ?  "   said  the  other,  irritably. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick. 

"  And  isn't  that  enough? " 

"  Not  if  somebody  else  put  it  there,"  said  Dick. 

"That's  a  likely  story." 

"  It's  a  true  story." 

"  Can  you  identify  this  as  the  boy  who  robbed  you, 
and  whom  you  saw  running?  " 

"  No,"  said  the  red-faced  man,  rather  unwillingly. 
"  My  eyesight  is  not  very  good,  but  I've  no  doubt 
this  is  the  young  rascal." 

"Well,  that  must  be  decided.  You  must  appear 
to-morrow  morning  to  prefer  your  complaint." 

"  Mind  you  don't  let  the  rascal  escape,"  said  the 
other. 

"I  shall  carry  him  to  the  station-house,  where  he 
will  be  safe." 

"  That's  right,  I'll  make  an  example  of  him.  lie 
won't  pick  my  pocket  again  in  a  hurry." 

"  I  hope  the  judge   won't   be   so   sure  that  I  am 


164  FAME  AND  FOBTUNE /    OB,   THE 

guilty,"  said  Dick.  "If  he  is,  it'll  go  hard  with 
me." 

"  Why  don't  you  call  your  employer  to  testify  to 
your  good  character?" 

"  That's  a  good  idea.  Can  I  write  a  note  to  him, 
and  to  another  friend  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  but  perhaps  the  mail  wouldn't  carry  them 
in  time." 

"  I  will  send  a  messenger.     Can  I  do  so?" 

"  When  we  get  to  the  station-house  I  will  see  that 
you  have  a  chance  to  send.     Here  we  are." 

Escorted  by  the  officer,  and  followed  by  his 
accuser,  Dick  entered.  There  was  a  railing  at  the 
upper  end  of  the  room,  and  behind  it  a  desk  at  which 
sat  a  captain  of  the  squad. 

The  officer  made  his  report,  which,  though  fair  and 
impartial,  still  was  sufficient  to  cause  our  hero's 
commitment  for  trial. 

"  What  is  your  name?"  questioned  the  captain. 

Dick  thought  it  best  to  be  straightforward,  and, 
though  he  winced  at  the  idea  of  his  name  appearing 
in  the  daily  papers,  answered  in  a  manly  tone, 
"  Richard  Hunter." 


PBOGBESS   OF  BICHABD  HUNTER.  165 

"Of  what  nation?" 

"  American." 

"  Where  were  you  born? 

"  In  this  city." 

"  What  is  your  age  ?  " 

"  Sixteen  years." 

These  answers  were  recorded,  and,  as  Dick  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  communicate  with  his  friends  be- 
fore trial,  permission  was  given  him  to  write  to  them, 
and  the  trial  was  appointed  for  the  next  morning  at 
the  Tombs.  The  red-faced  man  certified  that  his 
wallet  contained  nine  dollars  and  sixty-two  cents, 
which  was  found  to  be  correct.  He  agreed  to  be 
present  the  next  morning  to  prefer  his  charge,  and 
with  such  manifest  pleasure  that  he  was  not  re- 
tained, as  it  sometimes  happens,  to  insure  his  ap« 
pearance. 

"  I  will  find   a  messenger   to   carry  your  notes,"  ' 
said  the  friendly  officer. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Dick.  "  I  will  take  care  that 
you  are  paid  for  your  trouble." 

"  I  require  no  pay  except  what  I  have  to  pay  the 
messenger." 


166  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     07J,    THE 

Dick  was  escorted  to  a  cell  for  safe-keeping.     He 

quickly  clashed  off  a  letter  to  Mr.  Murdock,  fearing 

i 
that  Mr.  Eockwell  might  not  be  in  the  store.     It  was 

as  follows :  — 

"Mr.  Murdock, — "What  will  you  think  when  I 
tell  you  that  I  have  been  unlucky  enough  to  be  arrest- 
ed on  suspicion  of  picking  a  man's  pocket?  The 
real  thief  slipped  the  wallet  into  my  pocket  as  I  was 
looking  into  a  shop  window,  and  it  was  found  on  me. 
I  couldn't  -prove  my  innocence,  so  here  I  am  at  the 
station-house.  They  will  think  strange  at  the  store 
because  I  am  absent.  Will  you  tell  Mr.  Rockwell 
privately  what  has  detained  me ;  but  don't  tell  Mr. 
Gilbert.  He  don't  like  me  any  too  well,  and  would 
believe  me  guilty  at  once,  or  pretend  he  did.  I  am 
sure  you  won't  believe  I  would  do  such  a  thing, 
or  Mr.  Rockwell  either.  Will  you  come  and  see  me 
to-night?  I  am  to  be  tried  to-morrow  morning.  I 
aint  very  proud  of  the  hotel  where  I  am  stopping, 
but  they  didn't  give  me  much  choice  in  the  matter. 

"  Richard  Hunter. 

"  Station- House,  Franklin  Street." 

The  other  letter  was  to  Fosdick  ;  here  it  is :  — 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  1G7 

"  Dear  Fosdick,  —  I  didn't  much  think  when  I 
left  you  this  morning  that  I  should  be  writing  to  3*011 
from  the  station-house  before  night.  I'll  tell  3-011  how 
it  happened."  [Here  follows  a  detailed  account,  which 
is  omitted,  as  the  reader  is  already  acquainted  *vith  all 
the  circumstances.]  "  Of  course  they  will  wonder  at 
the  boarding-house  where  I  am.  If  Miss  Pe3rton  or 
Mr.  Clifton  inquires  after  me  to-night,  you  can  say 
that  I  am  detained  b3*  business  of  importance.  That's 
true  enough.  I  wish  it  wasn't.  As  soon  as  dinner 
is  over,  I  wish  3*ou'd  come  and  see  me.  I  don't  know 
if  you  can,  not  being  acquainted  with  the  rules  of 
this  hotel.  I  shan't  stop  here  again  very  soon,  if  I 
can  help  it.  There's  a  woman  in  the  next  cell,  who 
was  arrested  for  fighting.  She  is  swearing  fright- 
fully. It  almost  makes  me  sick  to  be  in  such  a  place. 
It's  pretty  hard  to  have  this  happen  to  me  just  when 
I  was  getting  along  so  well.     But  I  hope  it'll  all 

come  out  right.     Your  true  friend, 

"  Dick. 
"  P.  S. — I've  given  my  watch  and  chain  to  the  officer 

to  keep  for  me.     Gold  watches  aint  fashionable  here, 

and  I  didn't  want  them  to  think  me  putting  on  airs. 

"  Stalion-Huii.se,  Franklin  Street." 


168  FAME  A. tor  FORTUNE;    OB,    THE  - 

After  Dick  had  written  these  letters  he  was  left  to 
himself.  His  reflections,  as  may  readily  be  supposed, 
were  not  the  most  pleasant.  What  would  they  thiuk 
at  the  boardiug-house,  if  they  should  find  what  kind 
of  business  it  was  that  had  detained  him !  Even  if  he 
was  acquitted,  some  might  suppose  that  he  was  really 
guilty.  But  there  was  a  worse  contingency.  He 
might  be  unable  to  prove  his  innocence,  and  might 
be  found  guilty.  In  that  case  he  would  be  sent  to 
the  Island.  Dick  shuddered  at  the  thought.  Just 
when  he  began  to  feel  himself  respectable,  it  was  cer- 
tainly bad  to  meet  with  such  hard  luck.  "What,  too, 
would  Mr.  Greyson  and  Ida  think  ?  He  had  been  so 
constant  at  the  Sunday  school  that  his  absence  would 
be  sure  to  be  noticed,  and  he  knew  that  his  former 
mode  of  life  would  make  his  guilt  more  readily  be- 
lieved in  the  present  instance. 

"  If  Ida  should  think  me  a  pick-pocket ! "  thought 
poor  Dick,  and  the  thought  made  him  miserable 
enough.  The  fact  was,  that  Ida,  by  her  vivacity  aud 
lively  manners,  and  her  evident  partiality  for  his  so- 
ciety, had  quite  won  upon  Dick,  who  considered  her 
by  all  odds  the  nicest  girl  he  had  ever  seen.     I  don't 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  1G9 

mean  to  say  that  Dick  was  in  love,  —  at  least  not  yet. 
Both  he  and  Ida  were  too  young  for  that ;  but  he  was 
certainly  quite  an  admirer  of  the  young  lady.  Again, 
if  he  were  convicted,  he  would  have  to  give  up  the 
party  to  which  he  had  been  invited,  and  he  could 
never  hope  to  get  another  invitation. 

All  these  reflections  helped  to  increase  Dick's  un- 
happiness.  I  doubt  if  he  had  ever  felt  so  unhappy  in 
all  his  life.  But  it  never  once  occurred  to  him  that 
his  arrest  was  brought  about  by  the  machinations  of 
his  enemies.  He  hadn't  chanced  to  see  Micky  Ma- 
guire,  and  had  no  suspicion  that  it  was  he  who 
dropped  the  wallet  into  his  pocket.  Still  less  did  he 
suspect  that  Gilbert's  hostility  had  led  him  so  far  as 
to  conspire  with  such  a  boy  as  Micky  against  him. 
It  was  lucky  that  he  did  not  know  this,  or  he  would 
have  felt  still  more  unhappy. 

But  it  is  now  time  to  turn  to  Micky  Maguire  and 
Mr.  Gilbert,  whose  joint  scheme  had  met  with  so 
much  success. 


3  70  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OK,    THE 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

MICKY  MAGUIRE's  DISAPPOINTMENT. 

Micky  Maguike  waited  until  Dick  was  actually 
on  the  way  to  the  station-house,  and  then  start- 
ed for  Pearl  Street  to  acquaint  Gilbert  with  the 
success  of  his  machinations.  His  breast  swelled  with 
triumph  at  the  advantage  he  had  gained  over  his 
enemy. 

"  May  be  he'll  keep  his  '  cheerin'  reflections '  to 
himself  another  time,"  thought  Micky.  "  He  won't 
have  much  to  say  about  my  going  to  the  Island  when 
he's  been  there  himself.  They  won't  stand  none  of 
his  airs  there,  I'm  thinkin'." 

There  was  another  pleasant  aspect  to  the  affair. 
Micky  had  not  only  triumphed  over  his  enemy,  but 
he  was  going  to  be  paid  for  it.  This  was  the  stipu- 
lation between  Gilbert  and  himself.  The  book- 
keeper had  not  promised  any  definite-  sum,  but 
Micky,  in  speculating  upon  the  proper  compeusation 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  Ill 

for  his  service,  fixed  upon  five  dollars  as  about  what 
he  ought  to  receive.  Like  many  otters  who  count 
their  chickens  before  they  are  hatched,  he  had  already 
begun  to  consider  what  he  would  buy  with  it  when  he 
had  got  it. 

Now,  only  the  day  previous,  Micky  had  noticed 
hanging  in  a  window  in  Chatham  Street,  a  silver 
watch,  and  chain  attached,  which  was  labelled  "  Gen- 
uine Silvek,  only  Five  Dollaks."  Since  Micky 
had  been  the  possessor  of  a  blue  coat  with  brass  but- 
tons, his  thoughts  had  dwelt  more  than  ever  before 
on  his  personal  appearance,  and  the  watch  had  struck 
his  fancy.  He  did  not  reflect  much  on  the  probable 
quality  of  a  silver  watch  which  could  be  sold  for  five 
dollars,  and  a  chain  thrown  into  the  bargain.  It  was 
a  watch,  at  any  rate,  and  would  make  a  show.  Be- 
sides, Dick  wore  a  watch,  and  Micky  felt  that  he  did 
not  wish  to  be  outdone.  As  soon  as  he  received  his 
reward  he  meant  to  go  and  buy  it. 

It  was  therefore  in  a  very  cheerful  frame  of  mind 
that  Micky  walked  up  in  front  of  Rockwell  &  Coop- 
er's store,  and  took  his  stand,  occasionally  glancing 
at  the  window. 


172  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

Ten  minutes  passed  away,  and  still  he  remained 

o 

unnoticed.  He  grew  impatient,  and  determined  to 
enter,  making  his  business  an  excuse. 

Entering,  he  saw  through  the  open  door  of  the 
office,  the  book-keeper,  bending  over  the  desk  writ- 
ing. 

"  Shine  yer  boots?"  he  asked. 

Gilbert  was  about  to  answer  angrily  in  the  nega- 
tive, when  looking  up  he  recognized  his  young  con- 
federate. His  manner  changed,  and  he  said,  "  Yes, 
I  believe  I'll  have  a  shine ;  but  you  must  be  quick 
about  it." 

Micky  swung  his  box  from  his  shoulder,  and,  sink- 
ing upon  his  knees,  seized  his  brush,  and  went  to 
work  scientifically. 

"  Any  news  ?  "  asked  Gilbert,  in  a  low  voice. 

"  Yes,  mister,  I've  done  it,"  said  Micky. 

" Have  you  managed  to  trap  him?  " 

"Yes,  I  left  him  on  his  way  to  the  station- 
house." 

" How  did  you  manage  it?" 

"  I  grabbed  an  old  fellow's  wallet,  and  dropped  it 
into  Dick's  pocket.    He  pulled  it  out,  and  while  he 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  173 

•was  lookin'  at  it,  up  caine  the  '  copp '  and  nabbed 
him." 

' '  How  about  the  man  from  whom  the  wallet  was 
taken?" 

"  He  came  up  puffin',  and  swore  Dick  was  the  chap 
that  stole  it." 

"  So  he  was  carried  off  to  the  station-house?" 

"  Yes  ;  he's  there  safe  enough." 

"  Then  we  shall  have  to  carry  on  business  without 
him,"  said  Gilbert,  coolly.  "  I  hope  he  will  enjoy 
himself  at  his  new  quarters." 

"  Maybe  they'll  send  him  to  the  Island,"  said 
Micky,  beginning  his  professional  operations  upon 
the  second  boot. 

"  Very  likely,"  said  Gilbert.  "  I  suppose  you've 
been  there  before  this." 

"Wot  if  I  have?"  said  Micky,  in  rather  a  surly 
tone,  for  he  did  not  relish  the  allusion. 

"  No  offence,"  said  Gilbert.  "  I  only  meant  that 
if  you  have  ever  been  there,  you  can  judge  whether 
your  friend  Dick  will  enjoy  it." 

"  Not  a  great  deal,"  said  Micky  ; ;'  but  you  needn't 
call  him  my  friend.     I  hate  him." 


174  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"  Your  enemy,  then.  But  get  through  as  soon  as 
possible." 

Micky  struck  his  brush  upon  the  floor  to  indicate 
that  the  job  was  finished,  and,  rising,  waited  for  his 
fee. 

Gilbert  took  from  his  pocket  ten  cents  and  handed 
him. 

"  That's  for  the  shine,"  he  said  ;  "  and  here's  some- 
thing for  the  other  matter." 

So  saying,  he  placed  in  the  hand  of  the  boot-black 
a  bank-note. 

Micky  glanced  at  it,  and  his  countenance  changed 
ominously,  when  he  perceived  the  denomination.  It 
was  a  one-dollar  bill ! 

"  It's  one  dollar,"  he  said. 

"Isn't  that  enough?" 

"  No,  it  isn't,"  he  answered,  sullenly.  "  I  might 
ave  been  nabbed  myself.  I  can't  afford  to  work  on 
no  such  terms." 

Micky  was  right.  It  certainly  was  a  very  small 
sum  to  receive  for  taking  such  a  risk,  apart  from  all 
moral  considerations,  and  his  dissatisfaction  can 
hardly  be  wondered  at.     But  Gilbert  was  not  of  a 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  175 

generous  nature.  In  fact  he  was  disposed  to  be 
mean,  and  in  the  present  instance  he  had  even  ex- 
pected to  get  the  credit  of  being  generous.  A  dol- 
lar, he  thought,  must  seem  an  immense  sum  to  a 
ragged  boot-black.  But  Micky  thought  differently, 
and  Gilbert  felt  irritated  at  his  ingratitude. 

"It's  all  you'll  get,"  said  he,  roughly. 

"  Then  you'd  better  get  somebody  else  to  do  your 
Jirty  work  next  time,  mister,"  said  Micky,  angrily. 

"  Clear  out,  you  young  blackguard  !  "  exclaimed 
Gilbert,  his  temper  by  this  time  fully  aroused. 
"  Clear  out,  if  you  don't  want  to  be  kicked  out !  " 

"  Maybe  you'll  wish  you'd  given  me  more,"  said 
Micky,  sullenly  picking  up  his  box,  and  leaving  the 
office-. 

"What's  the  matter?"  asked  Mr.  Murdock,  who 
happened  to  come  up  just  as  Micky  went  into  the 
street,  and  heard  the  last  words  of  the  altercation. 

"  Oh,"  said  Gilbert,  carelessly,  "  he  wasn't  satisfied 
with  his  pay.  I  gave  him  ten  cents,  but  the  young 
rascal  wanted  more." 

As  he  said  this,  he  turned  back  to  his  desk. 

"  I  wonder  whether  Gilbert's    goiug    anywhere," 


176  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

thought  the  head  clerk.  "  I  never  knew  him  so 
extravagant  before.  He  must  be  going  out  this 
evening." 

Just  then  it  occurred  to  him  that  Dick  had  been 
absent  longer  than  usual,  and,  as  he  needed  his  ser- 
vices, he  asked,  "  Has  Eichard  returned,  Mr.  Gil- 
bert?" 

"  I  haven't  seen  him." 

"  Did  he  go  out  at  the  usual  time?" 

»  Yes." 

"What  can  have  detained  him?"  said  Mr.  Mur- 
dock,  thoughtfully. 

"  He's  probably  fallen  in  with  some  of  his  old 
friends,  and  forgotten  all  about  his  duties." 

"  That  is  not  his  way,"  said  Mr.  Murdoch,  quietly, 
as  he  walked  away.  He  understood  very  well  Mr. 
Gilbert's  hostility  to  Dick,  and  that  the  latter  was 
not  likely  to  receive  a  very  favorable  judgment  at  his 
hands. 

Five  minutes  later  a  boy  entered  the  store,  and, 
looking  about  him  a  moment  in  uncertainty,  said,  "  I 
want  to  see  Mr.  Murdock." 

"  I  am  Mr.  Murdock,"  he  answered. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  177 

"  Then  this  note  is  for  yon." 

The  clerk  felt  instinctively  that  the  note  was  from 
Dick,  and,  not  wishing  Gilbert  to  hear  the  conversa- 
tion, motioned  the  boy  to  follow  him  to  the  back  part 
of  the  store. 

Then  he  opened  and  read  the  note  quickly. 

"Did  Richard  Hunter  give  this  to  you?"  he 
asked. 

"  No,"  said  Tim  Ryan,  for  that  was  his  name.  "  It 
was  the  '  copp  '  that  arrested  him." 

"  I  suppose  a  '  copp '  is  a  policeman." 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  "Were  you  present  when  he  was  arrested?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Do  you  know  anything  about  it?" 

"Yes,  I  seed' it  all." 

"  You  saw  the  wallet  taken?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"Did  Richard  take  it?" 

"  You  mean  Dick?"  said  Tim,  interrogatively,  for 
Richard  was  to  him  a  strange  name. 

"  No,  he  didn't,  then.    He  wouldn't  steal.    I  never 
know'd  him  to." 
12 


178  FAME  AND  FORTUNE/    OR,    THE 

"  Then  you  know  Dick?" 

"  Yes,  sir.  I've  knowed  him  ever  since  I  was  so 
high,"  indicating  a  point  about  three  feet  above  the 
floor. 

"  Then  who  did  take  it,  if  not  he?" 

"  Micky  Maguire." 

"Who  is  he?" 

"He  blacks  boots." 

"  Then  how  did  it  happen  that  he  was  not  ar- 
rested ?  " 

"  Micky  was  smart  enough  to  drop  the  wallet  into 
Dick's  pocket  as  he  was  standin'  before  a  shop  win- 
der. Then  he  got  out  of  the  way,  and  Dick  was 
nabbed  by  the  '  copp.' " 

"  Is  this  Micky  of  whom  you  speak  a  friend  of 
yours  ? " 

"  No  ;  he  likes  to  bully  small  boys." 

"  Then  why  didn't  you  tell  the  officer  he  had  ar- 
rested the  wrong  boy  ?  " 

"I  wanted  to,"  said  Tim,  "for  Dick's  always  been 
kind  to  me  ;  but  I  was  afraid  Micky  would  give  me  a 
beatin'  when  he  got  free.  Then  there  was  another 
reason." 


PJtOGIiESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  179 

"What  was  that?" 

"  It's  mean  to  tell  of  a  fellow." 

"  Isn't  it  meaner  to  let  an  innocent  boy  get  pun- 
ished, when  you  might  save  him  by  telling?  " 

"  Maybe  it  is,"  said  Tim,  perplexed. 

"  My  lad,"  continued  Mr.  Murdock,  "  you  say  Dick 
has  been  kind  to  you.  You  now  have  an  opportunity 
to  repay  all  he  has  ever  done,  by  clearing  him  from 
this  false  charge,  which  you  can  easily  do." 

"  I'll  do  it,"  said  Tim,  stoutly.  "  I  don't  care  if 
Micky  does  lick  me  for  it." 

"  By  the  way,"  said  Mr.  Murdock,  with  a  sudden 
thought,  "  what  is  the  appearance  of  this  Micky  Ma- 
guire  ?  " 

"  He's  rather  stout,  and  has  freckles." 

"Does  he  wear  a  blue  coat,  with  large  brass  but- 
tons?" 

"Yes,"  said  Tim,  in  surprise.  "Do  you  know 
him?" 

"  I  have  seen  him  this  morning,"  said  Mr.  Mur- 
dock. "  Wait  a  minute,  and  I  will  give  you  a  line 
to  Dick  ;  or  rather  it  will  not  be  necessary.  If  you 
*an  get  a  chance,  let  him  know  that  I  am  going  to 


180  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OB,    THE 

call  on  him  this  afternoon.  Will  you  be  at  the  sta* 
tion-house,  or  near  it,  at  six  o'clock?" 

«  Yes,  sir." 

"  Then  we  can  arrange  about  your  appearing  as  a 
witness  at  the  trial.  Here  is  half  a  dollar  for  your 
trouble  in  bringing  the  note." 

"  I  don't  want  it,  sir,"  said  Tim.  "  I  don't  want 
to  take  anything  for  doing  a  good  turn  to  Dick." 

"But  you  have  been  prevented  from  earning  mon- 
ey.   You  had  better  take  it." 

But  Tim,  who  was  a  warm-hearted  Irish  boy,  stead- 
fastly refused,  and  left  the  store  in  quest  of  Hender- 
son's hat  and  cap  store,  having  also  a  note  to 
deliver  to  Fosdick. 

"  So  that  was  Micky  Maguire  who  was  here  a  little 
while  since,"  said  Mr.  Murdock  to  himself.  "It 
seems  singular  that  immediately  after  getting  Rich- 
ard into  trouble,  he  should  have  come  here  where  he 
was  employed.  Can  it  be  that  Gilbert  had  a  previ- 
ous acquaintance  with  him?" 

The  more  Mr.  Murdock  reflected,  the  more  per- 
plexed he  became.  It  did  cross  his  mind  that  the 
two  might  be  in  league  against  Dick ;  but  then,  on 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  181 

the  other  hand,  they  evidently  parted  on  bad  terms, 
and  this  seemed  to  make  such  a  combination  im- 
probable. So  he  gave  up  puzzling  himself  about  it, 
reflecting  that  time  would  clear  up  what  seemed 
mysterious  about  the  affair. 

Gilbert,  on  his  part,  could,  not  help  wondering  on 
what  errand  Tim  Ryan  came  to  Mr.  Murdoch.  He 
suspected  he  might  be  a  messenger  from  Dick,  but 
thought  it  best  not  to  inquire,  and  Mr.  Murdock  did 
not  volunteer  any  information.  When  the  store 
closed,  the  head  clerk  bent  his  steps  towards  the 
station-house. 


182  FAME  AND  FOBTUNE;    Off,    THE 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE   FRANKLIN   STREET   STATION-HOUSE. 

The  station-house  to  which  Dick  had  been  con- 
vej^ed  is  situated  in  that  part  of  Franklin  Street 
which  lies  between  Centre  and  Baxter  Streets. 
The  last  is  one  of  the  most  wretched  streets  in  the 
city,  lined  with  miserable  tenement  houses,  policy 
shops,  and  second-hand  clothing  stores.  "Whoever 
passes  through  it  in  the  evening,  will  do  well  to  look 
to  the  safety  of  his  pocket-book  and  watch,  if  he  is 
imprudent  enough  to  carry  either  in  a  district  where 
the  Ten  Commandments  are  unknown,  or  unregarded. 

The  station-house  is  an  exception  to  the  prevailing 
squalidness,  being  kept  with  great  neatness.  Mr. 
Murdock  ascended  the  steps,  and  found  himself  in  a 
large  room,  one  side  of  which  was  fenced  off  by  a 
railing.  Behind  this  was  a  desk,  at  which  sat  the 
officer  in  charge.  To  him,  Mr.  Murdock  directed 
himself. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  183 

"  Have*' you  a  boy,  named  Richard  Hunter,  in  the 
house  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  the  sergeant,  referring  to  his  minutes. 
"He  was  brought  in  this  afternoon,  charged  with 
picking  a  gentleman's  pocket." 

"  There  is  some  mistake  about  this.  He  is  as 
honest  as  I  am." 

"  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  that.  He  will  have  a 
fair  trial  to-morrow  morning.  All  I  have  to  do  is  to 
keep  him  in  safe  custody  till  then." 

"  Of  course.    Where  is  he?"  k 

"  In  a  cell  below." 

"  Can  I  see  him?" 

"  If  you  wish." 

The  officer  summoned  an  attendant,  and  briefly 
ordered  him  to  conduct  Mr.  Murdock  to  Dick's 
cell. 

"  This  way,  sir,"  said  the  attendant. 

Mr.  Murdock  followed  him  through  a  large  rear 
room,  which  is  intended  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
officers.  Then,  descending  some  steps  into  the  court- 
yard, he  descended  thence  into  the  apartments  in  the 
basement.     Here  ara  the  cells  for  the-  temporary  de> 


184  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

tention  of  offenders  who  are  not  at  once  sent  to  the 
Toombs  for  trial.  The  passages  are  whitewashed 
and  the  cells  look  very  neat.  They  are  on  either 
side,  with  a  grating,  so  that  one  passing  along  can 
look  into  them  readily.  They  are  probably  about 
seven  feet  long,  by  four  or  five  in  wicUh.  A  narrow 
raised  bedstead,  covered  with  a  pallet,  occupies  one 
side,  on  which  the  prisoner  can  either  lie  or  sit,  as  he 
pleases. 

"  How  are  you,  boss?  "  asked  a  negro  woman,  who 
had  been  arrested  for  drunkenness,  swaying  forward, 
as  Mr.  Murdock  passed,  and  nearly  losing  her  bal- 
ance as  she  did  so.  "  Can't  you  give  me  a  few  cents 
to  buy  some  supper?" 

Turning  from  this  revolting  spectacle,  Mr.  Mur- 
dock followed  his  guide  to  the  second  cell  beyond, 
where  our  hero  was  confined. 

"Is  it  you,  Mr.  Murdoch?"  exclaimed  our  hero, 
joyfully  jumping  to  his  feet.  "  I  am~  glad  to  see 
you." 

"  And  I  am  glad  to  see  you ;  but  I  wish  it  were 
somewhere  else,"  said  Mr.  Murdock. 

"So  do  I,"  said  Dick.     "  I  aint  partial  to  this 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  185 

hotel,  though  the  accommodations  is  gratooitous,  and 
the  company  is  very  select." 

"I  see  you  will  have  your  joke,  Dick,  even  in  such 
a  place." 

"  I  don't  feel  so  jolly  as  I  might,"  said  Dick.  "  I 
never  was  in  the  station-house  before  ;  but  I  shall  be 
lucky  if  I  don't  get  sent  to  a  worse  place." 

"  Have  you  any  idea  who  took  the  wallet  which 
was  found  in  your  pocket  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Dick. 

"Do  you  know  a  boy  called  Micky  Maguire?" 
proceeded  Mr.  Murdock. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick,  looking  up  in  surprise.  "  Micky 
used  to  be  a  great  friend  of  mine.  He'd  be  delighted 
if  he  only  knew  that  I  was  enjoy  in'  the  hospitality  of 
the  government." 

" He  does  know  it,"  said  Mr.  Murdock,  quietly. 

"  How  do  you  know?"  asked  Dick,  quickly. 

"  Because  it  was  he  that  stole  the  wallet  and  put  it 
In  your  pocket." 

"  How  did  you  find  out?  "  asked  Dick,  eagerly. 

"  Do  you  know  a  boy  named  Tim  Ryan?  " 

"  Yes  ;  he's  a  good  boy." 


186  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"It  was  he  that  brought  me  your  note.  He  saw 
the  whole  proceeding." 

"  Why  didn't  he  tell,  and  stop  my  bein'  arrested, 
then?" 

"  I  asked  him  that ;  but  he  said  he  was  afraid  Micky 
would  beat  him  when  he  found  out.  But  he  is  a 
friend  of  yours,  and  he  stands  ready  to  testify  what 
he  knows,  at  your  trial,  to-morrow  morning." 

"  That's  lucky,"  said  Dick,  breathing  a  sigh  of 
relief.  "  So  it  was  Micky  that  served  me  the  trick. 
He  always  loved  me  like  a  brother,  Micky  did,  but  I 
didn't  expect  he'd  steal  for  my  benefit.  I'm  very 
much  obliged  to  him,  but  I'd  rather  dispense  with 
such  little  favors  another  time." 

"  You  will  be  surprised  to  learn  that  Micky  came 
round  to  our  store  this  afternoon." 

"  "What  for?"  questioned  Dick,  in  amazement. 

"  I  don't  know  whether  he  came  by  accident  or 
design ;  but  Mr.  Gilbert  employed  him  to  black  his 
boots." 

"  Mr.  Gilbert !  " 

"  Yes.  They  seemed  to  be  conversing  earnestly ; 
but  I  was  too  far  off  to  hear  what  was  said.     Finally, 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  187 

Gilbert  appeared  to  get  angry,  and  drove  the  boy 
out." 

"  That's  strange !  "  said  Dick,  thoughtfully.  "  Mr. 
Gilbert  loves  me  about  as  much  as  Micky  does." 

"Yes,  there  seems  to  be  some  mystery  about  it. 
We  may  find  out  some  time  what  it  is.  But  here  is 
your  friend  Fosdick." 

"How  are  you,  Fosdick?"  hailed  Dick  from  his 
cell.  "  Fin  holdin'  a  little  levee  down  here.  Did 
you  receive  my  card  of  invitation  ?  " 

"I've  been  uneasy  all  the  afternoon,  Dick,"  said 
Fosdick.  "  Ever  since  I  heard  that  you  were  here, 
I've  been  longing  to  come  and  see  you." 

"  Then  you  aint  ashamed  of  me,  even  if  I  am  in 
the  station-house  ?  " 

"  Of  course  I  know  you  don't  deserve  to  be  here. 
Tell  me  all  about  it.  I  only  got  a  chance  to  speak  a 
minute  with  Tim  Ryan,  for  there  were  customers 
waiting." 

"  I'll  tell  you  all  I  know  myself,"  said  Dick. 
"  I'm  sorry  to  keep  you  standing,  but  the  door  is 
locked,  and  I've  accidentally  lost  the  key.  So  I  can't 
invite  you  into  my  parlor,  as  the  spider  invited  the  fly." 


188  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OE,    THE 

"  Don't  stand  on  ceremony,  Dick.  I'd  just^  as 
lieves  stay  outside." 

"  So  would  I,"  said  Dick,  rather  ruefully. 

The  story  was  told  over  again,  with  such  new 
light  as  Mr.  Murdock  had  been  able  to  throw  upon 
it. 

"It's  just  like  Micky,"  said  Fosdick.  "He's  a 
bad  fellow." 

"  It  was  rather  a  mean  trick,"  said  Dick  ;  "  but  he 
hasn't  had  a  very  good  bringin'  up,  or  maybe  he'd 
be  a  better  boy." 

That  he  should  have  spoken  thus,  at  the  moment 
when  he  was  suffering  from  Micky's  malice,  showed 
a  generosity  of  feeling  which  was  characteristic  of 
Dick.  No  one  was  more  frank,  open,  or  free  from 
malice  than  he,  though  always  ready  to  stand  up  for 
his  rights  when  he  considered  them  assailed.  It  is 
this  quality  in  Dick,  joined  to  his  manly  spirit,  which 
makes  him  a  favorite  with  me,  as  he  is  also  with  you, 
let  me  hope,  young  reader. 

"  It'll  come  out  right,  Dick,"  said  Fosdick,  cheer- 
fully. "  Tim  Ryan's  testimony  will  clear  you.  I  feel 
a  good  deal  better  about  it  now  than  I  did  this  after- 


PROGRESS   OF  RICH  AMD  HUNTER.  189 

noon,  when  I  didn't  know  how  things  were  likely  to 
go  with  you." 

"  I  hope  so,"  said  Dick.  "  But  I'm  afraid  you 
won't  get  any  supper,  if  you  stay  any  longer  with 
me." 

"How  about  your  supper,  Dick?"  asked  Fos- 
dick,  with  sudden  thought.  "  Do  they  give  you  any 
in  this  establishment  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Dick ;  "  this  hotel's  on  the  European 
system,  with  improvements.  You  get  3rour  lodgin' 
for  nothing,  and  nothing  to  eat  along  with  it.  I 
don't  like  the  system  much.  I  don't  think  I  could 
stand  it  more'n  a  week  without  its  hurtin'  my  consti- 
tution." 

"  I'll  go  out  and  get  you  something,  Dick,"  said 
Fosdick,  "  if  the  rules  of  the  establishment  allow  it. 
Shall  I?" 

"Well,"  said  Dick,  "  I  think  I  might  eat  a  little, 
though  the  place  isn't  very  stimulatin'  to  the  appe- 
tite." 

"  What  shall  I  bring  you?  " 

"I  aint  particular,"  said  Dick. 

Just  then  the  attendant  came  along,  and  Fosdick 


190  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

inquired  if  he  would  be  allowed  to  bring  his  friend 
something  to  eat. 

"  Certainly,"  was  the  reply.  u  We  provide  noth- 
ing ourselves,  as  the  prisoners  only  stay  with  us  a 
few  hours." 

"  I'll  be  right  back,"  said  Fosdick. 

Not  far  from  the  station-house,  Fosdiek  found  a 
baker's  shop,  where  he  bought  some  bread  and  cakes, 
with  which  he  started  to  return.  As  he  was  nearing 
the  station-house,  he  caught  sight  of  Micky  Maguire 
hovering  about  the  door.  Micky  smiled  significantly 
as  he  saw  Fosdick  and  his  burden. 

"  Where  are  you  carryin'  that?  "  he  asked. 

"  Why  do  you  ask?  "  said  Fosdick,  who  could  not 
feel  very  friendly  to  the  author  of  Dick's  misfor- 
tune. 

"Never  mind  why,"  said  Micky.  "I  know  well 
enough.  It's  for  your  friend  Dick.  How  does  he 
like  his  new  lodgins'?" 

"  How  do  you  like  them?  You've  been  there  often 
enough." 

"  Don't  be  impudent,  or  I'll  lam'  ye,"  said  Micky, 
scowling. 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  191 

As  Fosdick  was  considerably  smaller  than  himself, 
Micky  might  have  ventured  upon  an  assault,  but 
deemed  it  imprudent  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
station-house. 

"  Give  my  compliments  to  Dick,"  he  said.  "  I 
hope  he'll   sleep  well." 

To  this  Fosdick  returned  no  answer,  but,  entering 
the  building,  descended  to  Dick's  temporary  quarters. 
He  passed  the  bread  and  cake  through  the  grating, 
and  Dick,  cheered  by  the  hope  of  an  acquittal  on  the 
morrow,  and  a  speedy  recovery  of  his  freedom,  par- 
took with  a  good  appetite. 

"Can't  you  give  me  a  mouthful,  boss ?"  muttered 
the  negro  woman  before  mentioned,  as  she  caught 
sight  of  Fosdick's  load. 

He  passed  a  cake  through  the  grating,  which  she 
seized  eagerly,  and  devoured  with  appetite. 

"I  think  I  must  be  going,"  said  Mr.  Murdock, 
consulting  his  watch,  "  or  my  wife  and  children  won't 
know  what  has  become  of  me." 

"  Good-night,  Mr.  Murdoch,"  said  Dick.  "  Thank 
you  for  your  kindness." 


192  FAME  AND  FORTUNE,'   OR,    THE 

"  Good-night,  Richard.    Keep  up  your  courage." 

"  I'll  try  to." 

Fosdick  stopped  longer.  At  last  he  went  away, 
and  our  hero,  left  to  himself,  lay  down  upon  his  pallet 
and  tried  to  get  to  sleep. 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  193 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

ROSWELL  CRAWFORD  RETIRES  FROM  BUSINESS. 

"  Can  you  send  this  home  for  me?  "  asked  a  lady 
in  Hall  &  Turner's  store  about  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  day  on  which  Dick,  as  we  have  re- 
lated, was  arrested. 

"Certainly,  madam.  Where  shall  it  be  sent?" 
asked  the  clerk. 

"  No.  47  West  Fortieth  Street,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Very  well,  it  shall  be  sent  up  immediately. 
Here,   Roswell." 

Roswell  Crawford  came  forward  not  very  willingly. 

He  had  no  great  liking  for  the  task  which  he  saw 

would  be  required  of  him.     Fortieth  Street  was  at 

least  a  mile  and  a  half  distant,  and  he  had  already 

just  returned  from  a  walk  in  a  different  direction. 

Besides,  the  bundle  was  a  large  one,  containing  three 

dress  patterns.     He  did  not  think  it  very  suitable  for 
13 


194  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

a  gentleman's  son  to  be  seen  carrying  such  a  large 
bundle  through  the  streets. 

"Why  don't  you  send  Edward?"  he  said,  com- 
plainingly.     "  He  doesn't  do  half  as  much  as  I." 

"I  shall  send  whom  I  please,"  said  the  clerk, 
sharply.  "  You  wouldn't  do  anything  if  you  could 
help  it." 

"  I  won't  carry  bundles  much  longer,"  said  Eos- 
well.  "You  put  all  the  heaviest  bundles  off  upon 
me." 

Roswell's  back  being  turned,  he  did  not  observe 
Mr.  Turner,  who  had  come  up  as  he  was  speaking. 

"What  are  you  complaining  about?"  asked  that 
gentleman. 

Roswell  turned,  and  colored  a  little  when  he  saw 
his  employer. 

"  What  is  the  matter?  "  repeated  Mr.  Turner. 

"  Mr.  Evans  always  gives  me  the  largest  bundles 
to  carry,"  said  Eos  well. 

"  He  is  always  complaining  of  having  to  carry  bun- 
dles," said  the  clerk.  "  He  says  it  isn't  suitable 
work  for  a  gentleman's  son." 

"I  have  noticed  it,"  said  Mr.  Turner.     "On  the 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  195 

whole,  I  think,  Mr.  Crawford,"  he  said,  with  mock 
deference,  "I  think  you  have  mistaken  your  vocation 
in  entering  a  dry-goods  store.  I  advise  you  to  seek 
some  more  gentlemanly  employment.  At  the  end  of 
the  week,  you  are  at  liberty  to  leave  my  employment 
for  one  better  suited  to  you." 

"  I'm  ready  to  go  now,"  said  Roswell,  sulkily. 

•'  Very  well ;  if  you  desire  it,  I  will  not  insist  upon 
your  remaining.  If  you  will  come  up  to  the  desk, 
you  shall  receive  what  is  clue  you." 

It  was  somewhat  humiliating  to  Roswell  to  feel 
that  his  services  were  so  readily  dispensed  with. 
Still  he  had  never  liked  the  place,  and  heartily  dis- 
liked carrying  bundles.  By  going  at  once,  he  would 
get  rid  of  the  large  bundle  to  be  carried  to  West  For- 
tieth Street.  Congratulating  himself,  therefore,  on 
the  whole,  on  escaping  from  what  he  regarded  as  a 
degrading  servitude,  he  walked  up  to  the  desk  in  a 
dignified  manner,  and  received  the  wages  due  him. 

"  I  hope  you  will  find  some  more  congenial  employ- 
ment," said  Mr.  Turner,  who  paid  him  the  amount  of 
his  wages. 

"I  have  no  doubt  I  shall,"  said  Roswell,  loftily. 


196  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  My  father  was  a  gentleman,  and  our  family  haa 
considerable  influence." 

"  Well,  I  wish  you  success.     Good-by." 

"  Good-by,"  said  Eoswell,  and  walked  out  of  the 
shop  with  head  erect. 

He  did  not  quite  like  going  home  at  once,  as  ex- 
planation would  be  rather  awkward  under  the  cir- 
cumstances. He  accordingly  crossed  over  to  Fifth 
Avenue,  considering  that  the  most  suitable  prome- 
nade for  a  gentleman's  son.  He  could  not  help  re- 
garding with  some  envy  the  happy  possessors  of  the 
elegant  buildings  which  he  passed.  Why  had  partial 
Fate  denied  him  that  fortune  which  would  have  ena- 
bled him  to  live  in  this  favored  locality  ? 

"Plenty  of  snobs  have  got  money,"  he  thought. 
"  How  much  better  I  could  use  it  than  they !  I 
wish  I  were  rich !  You  wouldn't  catch  me  slaving 
my  life  out  in  a  dry-goods  store,  or  any  other." 

This  was  undoubtedly  true.  Work  of  any  kind 
had  no  charms  for  Koswell.  To  walk  up  the  avenue 
swinging  a  dandy  cane,  dressed  in  the  height  of  the 
fashion,  or,  what  was  better  yet,  sitting  back  luxuri- 
ously in  an  elegant  carriage  drawn  by  a  clashing 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  197 

span ;  such  was  what  he  regarded  himself  most  fit 
for.  But,  unfortunately,  he  was  not  very  likely  to 
realize  his  wishes.  The  desire  to  enjoy  wealth 
doesn't  bring  it,  and  the  tastes  of  a  gentleman  are 
not  a  very  good  stock  to  begin  life  with.  So  Roswell 
sauntered  along  in  rather  a  discontented  frame  of 
mind  until  he  reached  Madison  Park,  where  he  sat 
down  on  a  bench,  and  listlessly  watched  some  boys 
who  were  playing  there. 

"  Hallo,  Roswell ! "  said  one  of  his  acquaintances, 
coming  up  by  chance.  "  How  do  you  happen  to  be 
here  ?  " 

"  Why  shouldn't  I  be  here  ?  " 

"  I  thought  you  were  in  a  store  somewhere  on 
Sixth  Avenue." 

"  Well,  I  was,  but  I  have  left  it." 

"  When  did  you  leave  it?" 

"  To-day." 

"Got  sacked,  hey?" 

"  Sacked,"  in  the  New  York  vernacular,  means 
discharged  from  a  place.  The  idea  of  having  it  sup- 
posed  that  he  had  been  "  sacked  "  was  not  pleasing 
to   Roswell's   pride.     He  accordingly  answered,  "I 


198  FAME  AKD   FORTUNE  ',     OR,    THE 

never  was  '  sacked '  in  nly  life.  Besides,  it's  a  low 
word,  and  I  never  use  it." 

"  "Well,  you  know  what  I  mean.  Did  they  turn 
you  off?" 

"  No,  they  didn't.  They  would  have  been  glad  to 
have  me  stay." 

"  Why  didn't  you  then?  " 

"  I  didn't  like  the  business." 

"  Dry  goods,  —  wasn't  it?  " 

"  Yes,  a  retail  dry-goods  store.  If  I  ever  go  into 
that  line  again,  it'll  be  in  a  wholesale  store.  There's 
a  chance  there  for  a  man  to  rise." 

"  You  don't  call  yourself  a  man  yet,  —  do  3rou?  " 

"  I  call  myself  a  gentleman,"  said  Roswell,  shortly. 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do  now  ?  " 

"  I'm  in  no  hurry  about  a  new  place.  I  shall  look 
round  a  little." 

"  Well,  success  to  you.  I  must  be  getting  back  to 
the  shop." 

"  What  are  you  doing?  " 

"  I'm  learning  a  trade." 

"  Oh  !  "  said  Roswell,  turning  up  his  nose  slightly, 
which  was  quite  easy  for  him  to  do,  as  nature  had 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.    .  199 

given  that  organ  an  upward  turn.     He  thought  all 

trades  low,  and  resolved  hereafter  to  hold  as  little 

communication  as  possible  with  the  boy  who  had  so 

/ 
far  demeaned  himself  as  to  be  learning  one.     That 

was  worse  than  being  in  a  dry-goods  store,  and  car- 
rying around  bundles. 

Towards  six  o'clock  Roswell  rose  from  his  seat,  and 
sauntered  towards  Clinton  Place,  which  was  nearly  a 
mile  distant.  He  entered  the  house  a  little  before 
dinner. 

"  Are  you  not  earlier  than  usual,  Roswell?"  asked 
his  mother. 

"  I've  left  the  store,"  he  said,  abruptly. 

"  Left  the  store  !  "  echoed  his  mother,  in  some  dis- 
may.    "Why?" 

"  Because  they  don't  know  how  to  treat  me.  It's 
no  fit  place  for  a  gentleman's  son." 

"  I  am  sorry,  Roswell,"  said  Mrs.  Crawford,  who, 
like  her  son,  was  "  poor  and  proud,"  and  found  the 
four  dollars  he  earned  weekly  of  advantage. «  "  I'm 
afraid  you  have  been  foolish." 

"Listen,  mother,  and  I'll  tell  you  all  about  it,"  he 
said. 


200  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OB,    THE 

Eoswell  gave  his  explanation,  which,  it  need  hardly 
be  said,  was  very  favorable  to  himself,  and  Mrs. 
Crawford  was  finally  brought  to  believe  that  Hall  & 
Turner  were  low  people,  with  whom  it  was  not  suita- 
ble for  one  of  her  son's  gentlemanly  tastes  to  be 
placed.  His  vindication  was  scarcely  over,  when  the 
bell  rang,  and  his  Cousin  Gilbert  was  admitted. 

Mr.  Gilbert  entered  briskly,  and  with  a  smiling 
face.  He '  felt  unusually  complaisant,  having  suc- 
ceeded in  his  designs  against  our  hero. 

"  "Well,  James,"  said  Mrs.  Crawford,  "  you  look  in 
better  spirits  than  I  feel." 

"  What's  happened  amiss?" 

"  Eoswell  has  given  up  his  place." 

"  Been  discharged,  you  mean." 

"  No,"  said  Roswell,  "  I  left  the  place  of  my  own 
accord." 

"What  for?" 

"  I  don't  like  the  firm,  nor  the  business.  I  wish  I 
were  inJMr.  Rockwell's." 

"  Well,"  said  Gilbert,  "  perhaps  I  can  get  you  in 
there." 

"  Has  the  boot-black  left?" 


PROGRESS   OF  RICIIARD   HUNTER.  201 

"  He's  found  another  place,"  said  Gilbert,  smiling 
at  what  he  regarded  as  a  good  joke. 

"  You  don't  mean  to  saj'  he  has  left  a  place  where 
he  was  earning  ten  dollars  a  week?"  said  Mrs.  Craw- 
ford, in  surprise.  "  Where  is  this  new  place  that 
you  speak  of  ?  " 

"  In  the  station-house." 

a  Is  he  in  the  station-house?"  asked  Roswell,  ea- 
gerly. 

"  That  is  what  I  hear." 

"  What's  he  been  doing?  " 

"  Charged  with  picking  a  pocket." 

"  Well,  I  do  hope  Mr.  Rockwell  will  now  see  his 
folly  in  engaging  a  boy  from  the  streets,"  said  Mrs. 
Crawford,  charitably  concluding  that  there  was  no 
doubt  of  our  hero's  guilt. 

"  What'll  be  done  with  him,  Cousin  James?  "  asked 
Roswell. 

"  He'll  be  sent  to  the  Island,  I  suppose." 

"  He  may  get  clear." 

"I  think  not.  Circumstances  arc  very  much 
against  him,  I  hear." 

"  And  will  you  try  to  get  me  in,  Cousin  James?  " 


202  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;  OB,    THE 

"  I'll  do  what  I  can.  Perhaps  it  may  be  well  for 
you  to  drop  in  to-morrow  about  ten  o'clock." 

"All  right,  — I'll  do  it." 

Both  Mrs.  Crawford's  and  Roswell's  spirits  revived 
wonderfully,  and  Mr.  Gilbert,  too,  seemed  unusually 
lively.  And  all  because  poor  Dick  had  got  into  diffi- 
culties, and  seemed  in  danger  of  losing  both  his  place 
and  his  good  name. 

.  "  It's  lucky  I  left  Hall  &  Turner's  just  as  I  did  !  " 
thought  Roswell,  complacently.  "  May  be  thej^'d 
like  to  engage  the  boot-black  when  he  gets  out  of 
prison.  But  I  guess  he'll  have  to  go  back  to  blacking 
boots.    That's  what  he's  most  fit  for." 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  203 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

dick's  acquittal. 

After  his  interview  with  Mr.  Murdock  and  Henry 
Fosdick,  Dick  felt  considerably  relieved.  He  not 
only  saw  that  his  friends  were  convinced  of  his  inno- 
cence, but,  through  Tim  Ryan's  testimony,  he  saw  that 
there  was  a  reasonable  chance  of  getting  clear.  He 
had  begun  to  set  a  high  value  on  respectability,  and 
he  felt  that  now  he  had  a  character  to  sustain. 

The  night  wore  away  at  last.  The  pallet  on  which 
he  lay  was  rather  hard  ;  but  Dick  had  so  often  slept 
in  places  less  comfortable  that  he  cared  little  for  that. 
When  he  woke  up,  he  did  not  at  first  remember 
where  he  was,  but  he  very  soon  recalled  the  circum 
stances,  and  that  his  trial  was  close  at  hand. 

"  I  hope  Mr.  Murdock  won't  oversleep  himself," 
thought  our  hero.  "  If  he  does,  it'll  be  a  gone  case 
with  me." 

At  an  early  hour  the  attendant  of  the  police  sta- 


204  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

tion  went  the  rounds,  and  Dick  was  informed  that  he 
was  wanted.  ■  Brief  space  was  given  for  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  toilet.  In  fact,  those  who  avail  them- 
selves of  the  free  lodgings  provided  at  the  station-house 
rarely  pay  very  great  attention  to  their  dress  or  per- 
sonal appearance.  Dick,  however,  had  a  comb  in  his 
pocket,  and  carefully  combed  his  hair.  He  also 
brushed  off  his  coat  as  well  as  he  could  ;  he  also  crit- 
ically inspected  his  shoes,  not  forgetting  his  old  pro- 
fessional habits. 

"  I  wish  I  had  a  brush  and  some  blackin',"  he  said 
to  himself.  "  My  shoes  would  look  all  the  better  for 
a  good  shine." 

But  time  was  up,  and,  under  the  escort  of  a  police- 
man, Dick  was  conveyed  to  the  Tombs.  Probably 
all  my  readers  have  heard  of  this  building.  It  is  a 
large  stone  building,  with  massive  columns,  broad  on 
the  ground,  but  low.  It  is  not  only  used  for  a  prison, 
but  there  are  two  rooms  on  the  first  floor  used  for  the 
holding  of  courts.  Into  the  larger  one  of  these 
Dick  was  carried.  He  looked  around  him  anxiously, 
and  to  his  great  joy  perceived  that  not  only  Mr.  Mur- 
doch was  on  hand,  but  honest  Tim  By  an,  whose  tes- 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD    IIUNTER.  205 

tirnony  was  so  important  to  his  defence.  Dick  was 
•taken  forward  to  the  place  provided  for  those  awaiting 
trial,  and  was  obliged  to  await  his  turn.  One  or  two 
cases,  about  which  there  was  no  doubt,  including  the 
colored  woman  arrested  for  drunkenness,  were  sum- 
marily disposed  of,  and  the  next  case  was  called. 
The  policeman  who  had  ai'rested  Dick  presented  him- 
self with  our  hero. 

Dick  was  so  neatly  dressed,  and  looked  so  modest 
and  self-possessed,  that  the  judge  surveyed  him  with 
some  surprise. 

"What  is  this  lad  charged  with?"  he  demanded. 

"  With  taking  a  wallet  from  a  gentleman's  pocket," 
said  the  policeman. 

"  Did  you  arrest  him?" 

"I  did." 

"  Did  you  take  him  in  the  act?" 

"  No  ;  I  did  not  see  him  take  it." 

"  What  have  you  to  say,  prisoner?  Are  you  guilty 
or  not  guilty  ?  "  said  the  judge,  turning  to  Dick. 

"  Not  guilty,"  said  Dick,  quietly. 

"  State  why  you  made  the  arrest,"  said  the  judge. 

"  I  saw  him  with  the  wallet  in  his  hand." 


206  FAME    AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

• 

"  Is  the  gentleman  who  had  his  pocket  picked, 
present  ?  " 

"  He  is." 

"  Summon  him." 

The  red-faced  man  came  forward,  and  gave  his  tes- 
timony. He  stated  that  he  was  standing  on  the  side- 
walk, when  he  felt  a  hand  thrust  into  his  pocket,  and 
forcibly  withdrawn.  He  immediately  felt  for  his 
wallet,  and  found  it  gone.  Turning,  he  saw  a  boy 
running,  and  immediately  gave  chase. 

"  "Was  the  boy  you  saw  running  the  prisoner?  " 

"  I  suppose  it  was." 

"  You  suppose ?  ■   Don't  you  know?  " 

"  Of  course  it  was,  or  he  would  not  have  been 
found  with  the  wallet  in  his  hand." 

"  But  you  cannot  identify  him  from  personal  obser- 
vation ?  " 

The  red-faced  man  admitted  with  some  reluctance 
that  his  eyesight  was  very  poor,  and  he  did  not  catch 
sight  of  the  boy  till  he  was  too  far  off  to  be  iden- 
tified. 

"This  is  not  so  clear  as  it  might  be,"  said  the 
judge.     "  Still,  appearances  are  against  the  prisoner, 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  207 

and  as  the  wallet  was  found  in  his  possession,  he 
must  be  found  guilty,  unless  that  fact  can  be  satisfac- 
torily explained." 

"  I  have  a  witness  who  can  explain  it,"  said  Dick. 

"Where  is  he?" 

Tim  Ryan,  who  understood  that  his  evidence  was 
now  wanted,  came  forward. 

After  being  sworn,  the  judge  asked,  "  What  is 
your  name  ?  " 

"  Tim  Ryan,  sir." 

"Where  do  you  live?" 

"  In  Mulberry  Street." 

"  Tell  what  you  know  of  this  case." 

"  I  was  standing  in  Chatham  Street,  when  I  saw 
the  ould  gintleman  with  the  red  face  (here  the  prose- 
cutor scowled  at  Tim,  not  relishing  the  description 
which  was  given  of  him)  standing  at  the  corner  of 
Pearl  Street.  A  boy  came  up,  and  put  his  hand  into 
his  pocket,  and  then  run  away  as  fast  as  his  legs 
could  carry  him,  wid  the  wallet  in  his  hand." 

"  Who  was  this  boy  ?    Do  you  know  him  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Tell  his  name." 


208  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  It  was  Micky  Maguire,"  said  Tim,  reluctantly. 

"  And  who  is  Micky  Maguire? " 

"  He  blacks  boots." 

"  Then  if  this  Micky  Maguire  took  the  wallet,  how 
happened  it  that  it  was  found  in  this  boy's  posses- 
sion ?  " 

"  I  can  tell  that,"  said  Tim.  .  "  I  ran  after  Micky 
to  see  if  he'd  get  off  wid  the  wallet.  He  hadn't  gone 
but  a  little  way  when  I  saw  him  slip  it  into  Dick's 
pocket.*' 

"  I  suppose  you  mean  by  Dick,  the  prisoner  at  the 
bar?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  And  what  became  of  this  Mick}'?  "     • 

"  He  stopped  runnin'  after  he'd  got  rid  of  the 
pocket-book,  and  a  minute  after,  up  came  the  '  copp,' 
and  took  Dick." 

"  Why  didn't  you  come  forward,  and  explain  the 
mistake  ?  " 

"  I  was  afraid  Micky'd  beat  me." 

"  Do  you  know  this  Micky  Maguire  ? "  said  the 
judge,  turning  to  the  officer. 

"  I  do." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  209 

"What  is  his  reputation?" 

"Bad.  He's  been  at  the  Island  three  or  four 
times  already." 

"  Did  you  see  him  anywhere  about  when  you  made 
the  arrest  ?  " 

"  I  did." 

"  Do  you  know  this  boy  who  has  just  testified?" 

"  Yes.     He  is  a  good  boy." 

* 

"The  case  seems  a  clear  one.  The  prisoner  is 
discharged  from  custody.  Arrest  Micky  Maguire  on 
the  same  charge  as  early  as  possible." 

The  next  case  was  called,  and  Dick  was  free. 

Mr.  Murdock  came  forward,  and  took  him  by  the 
hand,  which  he  shook  heartily. 

"  I  congratulate  you  on  your  acquittal,"  he  said. 

"  I  feel  a  little  better  than  I  did,"  said  Dick. 
"  Tim,  you're  a  good  fellow,"  he  said,  clasping  Tim's 
hand.  "  I  wouldn't  have  got  off,  if  it  hadn't  been  for 
you." 

"  I  ought  to  do  that  much  for  you,  Dick,  when 
you've  been  so  kind  to  me." 

"  How  arc  you  getting  along  now,  Tim  ?  " 

"  Pretty  well.     Mother's  got  so  she  can  work    and 
14 


210  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    TIIE 

we're  doin'  well.  When  she  was  sick,  it  was  pretty 
hard." 

"  Here's  something  to  help  you  along,"  said  Dick, 
and  he  drew  a  bill  from  his  pocket. 

"  Five  dollars !  "  said  Tim,  in  surprise. 

"  You  can  buy  some  new  clothes,  Tim." 

"  I  ought  not  to  take  so  much  as  that,  Dick." 

"  It's  all  right,  Tim.  There's  some  more  where 
that  comes  from." 

They  were  in  Centre  Street  by  this  time.  Forf- 
dick  came  up  hurriedly. 

"Have  you  got  off,  Dick?"  he  asked,  eagerly. 

"Yes,  Fosdick.  There's  no  chance  of  my  being 
entertained  at  the  expense  of  the  city." 

"  I  didn't  expect  the  trial  was  coming  off  so  early. 
Tell  me  all  about  it." 

"What  did  they  say  at  the  house  at  my  being 
away  ?  "  asked  Dick. 

"  Miss  Peyton  inquired  particularly  after  you.  I 
said,  as  you  directed  me,  that  you  were  detained  by 
important  business." 

"  What  did  she  say  then  ?  " 

Dick  was  so  particular  in  his  inquiries,  fearing  lest 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  211 

any  suspicion  should  have  been  formed  of  the  real 
cause  which  had  detained  kini.  There  was  no  reason 
for  it ;  but  it  had  always  been  a  matter  of  pride  with 
him  in  his  vagabond  da}7s  that  he  had  never  been  ar- 
rested on  any  charge,  and  it  troubled  him  that  he 
should  even  have  been  suspected  of  theft. 

"You   are   fishing  for  compliments,  Dick,"    said 
Fosdick. 

"  How  do  you  make  that  out?" 

"  You  want  to  know  what  Miss  Peyton  said.  I 
believe  you  are  getting  interested  in  her." 

"When  I  am,  just  send  me  to  a  lunatic  asylum," 
said  Dick. 

.  "  I  am  afraid  you  are  getting  sarcastic,  Dick. 
However,  not  to  keep  you  in  suspense,  Miss  Peyton 
said  that  you  were  one  of  the  wittiest  young  men  she 
knew  of,  and  you  were  quite  the  life  of  the  house." 

"  I  suppose  I  ought  to  blush,"  said  Dick  ;  "  but  I'm 
a  prey  to  hunger  just  now,  and  it's  too  much  of  an 
effort." 

"I'll  excuse  you  this  time,"  said  Fosdick.  "As 
to  the  hunger,  that's  easily  remedied.  "We  shall  get 
home  to  breakfast,  and  be  in  good  time  too." 


212  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    021,    THE 

Fosdick  was  right.  They  were  the  first  to  seat 
themselves  at  the  table.  Mr.  Clifton  came  in  directly 
afterwards.  Dick  felt  a  momentary  embarrass- 
ment. 

"What  would  he  say,"  thought  our  hero,  "if  he 
knew  where  I  passed  the  night  ?  " 

"Good-morning,  Hunter,"  said  Clifton.  "You 
didn't  favor  us  with  your  presence  at  dinner  last 
evening." 

"  No,"  said  Dick.  "  I  was  absent  on  very  impor- 
tant business." 

"  Dining  with  your  friend,  the  mayor,  probably  ?  " 

"Well,  no,  not  exactly,"  said  Dick,  "  but  I  had 
some  business  with  the  city  government.' 

"  It  seems  to  me  that  you're  getting  to  be  quite  an 
important  character." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Dick.  "  I  am  glad  to  find  that 
genius  is  sometimes  appreciated." 

Here  Miss  Peyton  entered. 

"Welcome,  Mr.  Hunter,"  she  said.  "We  missed 
you  last  evening." 

"  I  hope  it  didn't  affect  your  appetite  much,"  said 
*     Dick. 


PROGRESS  OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  213 

"But  it  did.  I  appeal  to  Mr.  Fosdick  whether  T 
ate  anything  to  speak  of." 

"  I  thought  Miss  Peyton  had  a  better  appetite  than 
usual,"  said  Fosdick. 

"  That  is  too  bad  of  you,  Mr.  Fosdick,"  said  Miss 
Peyton.  "  I'm  sure  I  didn't  eat  more  than  my  cana- 
ry bird." 

"Just  the  way  it  affected  me,"  said  Dick.  "It 
always  improves  my  appetite  to  see  you  eat,  Miss 
Peyton." 

Miss  Peyton  looked  as  if  she  hardly  knew  whether 
to  understand  this  remark  as  complimentary  or  oth- 
erwise. 

That  evening,  at  the  dinner-table,  Clifton  drew  a 
copy  of  the  "Express"  from  his  pocket,  and  said, 
"  By  Jove,  Hunter,  here's  a  capital  joke  on  you !  I'll 
read  it.  '  A  boy,  named  Richard  Hunter,  was 
charged  with  picking  a  pocket  on  Chatham  Street ; 
but  it  appearing  that  the  theft  was  committed  by 
another  party,  he  was  released  from  custody.' " 

Dick's  heart  beat  a  little  quicker  while  this  was 
being  read,  but  he  maintained  his  self-possession. 

"Of  course,"  said  he,  "that  was  the   important 


214  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

business  that  detained  me.  But  I  hope  you  won't 
mention  it,  for  the  sake  of  my  family." 

"  I'd  make  the  young  rascal  change  his  name,  if  I 
were  you,"  said  Clifton,  "  if  he's  going  to  get  into  the 
Police  record." 

"I  think  I  shall,"  said  Dick,  "or  maybe  I'll 
change  my  own.  You  couldn't  mention  a  highly  re- 
spectable name  that  I  could  take,  —  could  you  ?  " 

"  Clifton  is  the  most  respectable  name  I  know  of," 
said  the  young  gentleman  owning  that  name. 

"  If  you'll  make  me  your  heir,  perhaps  I'll  adopt 
it." 

"  I'll  divide  ury  debts  with  you,  and  give  you  the 
biggest  half,"  said  Clifton. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  pursue  the  conversation. 
Dick  found  to  his  satisfaction  that  no  one  at  the  table 
suspected  that  he  vas  the  Richard  Hunter  referred  to 
in  the  "  Express." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  215 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


THE  CUP  AND  THE  LIP. 


"While  Dick's  night  preceding  the  trial  was  an 
anxious  one,  Gilbert  and  Roswell  Crawford  passed  a 
pleasant  evening,  and  slept  soundly. 

"Do  you  think  Mr.  Rockwell  would  be  willing  to 
give  me  the  same  wages  he  has  paid  to  the  boot- 
black ?  "  he  inquired  with  interest. 

"  Perhaps  he  wou't  take  you  at  all." 

"  I  think  he  ought  to  pay  some  attention  to  your 
recommendation,"  said  Mrs.  Crawford.  "  You  ought 
to  have  some  influence  with  him." 

"  Of  course,"  said  Gilbert,  "  I  shall  do  what  I  can 
in  the  matter ;  but  it's  a  pity  Roswell  can't  give  better 
references." 

"  He's  never  been  with  a  decent  employer  yet. 
He's  been  very  unlucky  about  his  places,"  said  Mrs. 
Crawford. 

She  might  have  added  that  his  employers  had  con- 


216  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;   Oil,   THE 

sidered  themselves  unfortunate  in  their  engagement 
of  her  son ;  but,  even  if  she  had  known  it,  she  would 
have  considered  that  they  were  prejudiced  against 
him,  and  that  they  were  in  fault  entirely. 

"  I  will  do  what  I  can  for  him,"  continued  Gilbert ; 
"  but  I  am  very  sure  he  won't  get  as  much  as  ten 
dollars  a  week." 

"  I  can  earn  as  much  as  the  boot-black,  I  should 
hope,"  said  Eoswell. 

"  He  didn't  earn  ten  dollars  a  week." 

"  He  got  it." 

"  That's  a  very  different  thing." 

"  Well,  if  I  get  it,  I  don't  care  if  I  don't  earn  it." 

"  That's  true  enough,"  said  Gilbert,  who- did  not  in 
his  heart  set  a  very  high  estimate  upon  the  services 
of  his  young  cousin,  and  who,  had  the  business  been 
his  own,  would  certainly  not  have  engaged  him  at 
any  price. 

Eoswell  thought  it  best  not  to  say  any  more,  hav- 
ing on  some  previous  occasions  been  greeted  with  re- 
marks from  his  cousin  which  could  not  by  any  means 
be  regarded  as  complimentary. 

•'  Do  you  think  I  had  better  come  in  at  ten  o'clock, 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  217 

Cousin  James?"  inquired  Roswell,  as  breakfast  was 
over,  and  Gilbert  prepared  to  go  to  the  counting-room. 

"Well,  perhaps  you  may  come  a  little  earlier,  say 
about  half-past  nine,"  said  the  book-keeper. 

"  All  right,"  said  Roswell. 

Being  rather  sanguine,  he  made  up  his  mind  that 
he  was  going  to  have  the  place,  and  felt  it  difficult  to 
keep  his  good  fortune  secret.  Now,  in  the  next  house 
there  lived  a  bo3r  named  Edward  McLean,  who  was 
in  a  broker's  office  in  Wall  Street,  at  a  salary  of  six 
dollars  a  week.  Now,  though  Edward  had  never 
boasted  of  his  good  fortune,  it  used  to  disturb  Ros- 
well to  think  that  his  place  and  salary  were  so  much 
superior  to  his  own.  He  felt  that  it  was  much  more 
respectable  to  be  in  a  broker's  office,  independent  of 
the  salary,  than  to  run  around  the  city  with  heavy 
bundles.  But  if  he  could  enter  such  an  establishment 
as  Rockwell  &  Cooper's,  at  a  salary  of  ten  dollars,  he 
felt  that  he  could  look  down  with  conscious  superior- 
ity upon  Edward  McLean,  with  his  six  dollars  a 
week. 

He  went  over  to  his  neighbor's,  and  found  Edward 
just  starting  for  Wall  Street. 


218  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;    VR,    THE 

"  How  are  you,  Roswell?  "  said  Edward. 

"  Pretty  well      Are  you  going  down  to  the  office  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  You've  got  a  pretty  good  place,  —  haven't  you?  " 

"  Yes,  I  like  it." 

"  How  much  do  you  get?  " 

"  Six  dollars  a  week." 

"  That's  very  fair,"  said  Roswell,  patronizingly. 

"How  do  you  like  your  place?"  asked  Edward. 
"  I  believe  you're  in  a  dry-goods  store  on  Sixth 
Avenue." 

"  Oh,  no,"  said  Roswell. 

"You  were?  " 

"  Yes,  I  went  in  temporarily  to  oblige  them,"  said 
Roswell,  loftily ;  "  but,  of  course,  I  wouldn't  engage  to 
remain  any  length  of  time  in  such  a  place,  however 
large  the  inducements  they  might  offer." 

Considering  Roswell's  tone,  it  would  hardly  have 
been  supposed  that  the  large  inducements  weie  four 
dollars  a  week,  and  that,  even  at  that  compensation, 
his  services  were  not  desired. 

"  Then  it  wasn't  a  good  place  ?  "  said  Edward. 

"  Well  enough  for  such  as  liked  it,"  said  Rosweli 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  219 

"I  have  no  complaint  of  Hall  &  Turner.  I  told  them 
that  it  was  not  dissatisfaction  witli  them  that  led  me 
to  leave  the  place,  but  I  preferred  a  different  kind  of 
business." 

" Have  you  got  another  place?" 

"  I  have  an  offer  under  consideration,"  said  Eos- 
well,  consequentially  ;  "one  of  the  most  solid  firms  in 
the  city.     They  offer  me  ten  dollars  a  week." 

"  Ten  dollars  a  week !  "  repeated  Edward,  some- 
what staggered  by  the  statement.     "  That's  big  pay." 

"  Yes,"  said  Roswell ;  "  but  I  think  I  ought  to  get 
as  much  as  that." 

"  Why,  I  thought  myself  lucky  to  get  six  dollars," 
said  Edward. 

"  Yes,  that's  very  fair,"  said  Roswell,  condescend- 
ingly. "In  fact,  I've  worked  at  that  figure  myself; 
but,  of  course,  one  expects  more  as  he  grows  older." 

"  I  suppose  you'll  accept  your  offer,"  said  Edward. 

"  I  haven't  quite  made  up  my  mind,"  said  Roswell, 
carelessly.     "  I  think  I  shall." 

"  You'd  better.  Such  places  don't  grow  on  every 
bush." 

Though  Edward  did  not  more   than  half  believe 


220  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

Roswell'is  statement,  he  kept  his  disbelief  to  himself, 
feeling  that  it  was  a .  matter  of  indifference  to  him 
whether  Roswell  received  a  large  or  small  salary. 

"  I  must  be  going  down  to  the  office,"  he  said. 
"  Good-morning." 

"Good-morning,"  said  Roswell,  and  here-entered 
the  house,  feeling  that  he  had  impressed  Edward 
with  a  conviction  of  his  superioritj^,  and  the  value 
set  upon  his  services  by  the  business  men  of  New 
York.  He  went  upstairs,  and  picked  out  a  flashy 
necktie  from  his  drawer,  tied  it  carefully  before  the 
glass,  and  "about  nine  set  out  for  Rockwell  &  Cooper's 
warehouse. 

It  is  necessary  for  us  to  precede  him. 
Gilbert  reached   the   counting-room  at  the   usual 
time.     His  thoughts  on  the  way  thither  were  pleas- 
ant. 

"I  shan't  be  subjected  to  that  young  rascal's  im- 
pertinence," he  considered.  "  That's  one  satisfac- 
tion." 

His  astonishment,  nay,  dismay,  may  be  imagined, 
therefore,  when,  on  entering  the  counting-room,  the 
first  object  his  eyes  rested  oh  was  the  figure  of  Dick. 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  221 

"■  Good-morning,  Mr.  Gilbert,"  said  our  hero,  pleas 
antly. 

" How  came  you  here?"  he  demanded. 

"  I  walked,"  said  Dick.  "  I  don't  often  ride.  1 
think  walkin's  good  for  the  constitution." 

"  You  know  what  I  mean,  well  enough.  How  did 
you  get  out  of  prison  ?  " 

"  I  haven't  been  there." 

"You  were  arrested  for  picking  a  man's  pocket 
yesterday  afternoon,"  said  Gilbert. 

"  Excuse  me,  Mr.  Gilbert,  you're  slightly  mistaken 
there.  I  Avas  arrested  on  suspicion  of  picking  a 
man's  pocket." 

"  The  same  thing." 

"  Not  quite,  as  it  has  been  proved  that  I  was  in- 
nocent, and  the  wallet  was  taken  by  another  boy." 

" Have  you  been  tried?  " 

"  Yes,  and  acquitted." 

Gilbert  looked  and  felt  disappointed.  He  could 
not  conceive  how  Dick  could  have  escaped  when  the 
plot  to  entrap  him  had  been  so  artfully  contrived. 

"Well,  young  man,"  he  said,  "  I'll  give  you  a 
piece  of  advice,  and  if  you're  wise  you'll  follow  it." 


222  FAME   AND   FORTUNE,'     072,    TEE 

"  That's  kind  in  you,"  said  Dick. 

"I pass  over  your  impertinence  this  time,  and  will 
advise  you  as  a  friend  to  resign  your  situation  before 
Mr.  Eockwell  comes." 

"Why  should  I?" 

"  It'll  save  your  being  discharged." 

"  Do  you  think  he'll  discharge  me?" 

"  I  know  he  will.  He  won't  have  any  one  in  his 
employ  who  has  been  arrested  for  picking  pock- 
ets." 

"  Not  even  if  he  didn't  do  it?  " 

"  Not  even  if  he  was  lucky  enough  to  get  off,"  said 
Gilbert. 

"  You  think  I'd  better  give  up  my  place?" 

**  That'll  be  the  best  course  for  you  to  pursue." 

"But  how'll  I  get  another  place?" 

"  I'll  do  what  I  can  to  help  you  to  another  place 
if  you  leave  at  once." 

"I  think  I'll  wait  and  see  Mr.  Rockwell  first." 

"  I'll  make  all  the  necessary  explanations  to  Mr. 
Rockwell,"  said  the  book-keeper. 

"  I  think  I'd  rather  see  him  myself,  if  it  doesn't 
make  any  difference  to  you." 


I  I  ^sr 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  223 

"  You're  acting  like  a  fool.  You'll  only  be  kicked 
out  of  the  store.  If  you  don't  follow  my  advice, 
I  shan't  interest  myself  in  getting  you  another 
place." 

"  Do  you  think  I  took  the  wallet,  Mr.  Gilbert?" 
asked  Dick. 

"  Of  course  I  do." 

"  Then  how  could  you  recommend  me  to  another 
place  ?  "  • 

"  Because  I  think  this  may  prove  a  lesson  to  you. 
You've  been  lucky  enough  to  escape  this  time,  but 
you  can't  expect  it  always." 

"I'm  much  obliged  to. you  for  your  favorable 
opinion  ;  but  I  don't  think  I  shall  resign  at  once." 

At  this  moment  Mr.  Rockwell  entered  the  ware- 
house. He  had  been  informed  of  Dick's  misfortune 
by  Mr.  Murdock,  who  had  had  occasion  to  call  at  his 
house  on  his  way  from  the  trial. 

"How's  this,  Richard?"  he  said,  advancing,  with 
a  frank  smile.  "  I  hear  you  got  into  strange  quarters 
last  night." 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick ;  "  but  I  didn't  like  it  well  enough 
to  stay  long." 


224  fame  and  fortune;  or,  the 

"  "Why  didn't  you  send  for  me?" 

"Thank   you,  sir,  I   didn't  like  to   trouble  you. 
Mr.  Murdock  was  very  kind." 

"  Have  they  got  the  real  thief  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  sir." 

"  "Well,  '  all's  well  that  ends  well.'  You  can  afford 
to  laugh  at  it  now." 

Mr.  Gilbert  listened  to  this  colloquy  with  very  little 
satisfaction. 

It  seemed  to  show  such  a  good  understandiug 
between  Dick  and  his  employer  that  he  perceived 
that  it  would  be  a  very  difficult  thing  to  supersede 
him. 

"  Mr.  Rockwell  seems  to  be  infatuated  with  that 
boy,"  he  muttered  to  himself. 

"  I  think  1  won't  resign  just  yet,"  said  Dick,  in  a 
low  voice,  to  the  book-keeper. 

"  You'll  be  found  out  some  day,"  said  Gilbert, 
snappishly.  "  Go  to  the  post-office,  and  mind  you 
don't  stop  to  play  on  the  way." 

Dick  started  on  his  errand,  and,  in  passing  out 
into  the  street,  encountered  Eoswell  Crawford,  who, 
attired  with  extra  care,  had  just  come  down  the  street 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  225 

from  Broadway.  On  seeing  Dick,  he  started  as  if 
he  had  seen  a  ghost. 

"  Good-morning,  Roswell,"  said  Dick,  pleasantly. 

"  Good-morning,"  said  Roswell,  stiffly. 

"  Your  cousin  is  in  the  counting-room.  I  am  in  a 
hurry,  and  must  leave  you." 

"  I  thought  he  was  on  his  way  to  the  Island  by 
this  time,"  thought  Roswell,  perplexed.  "  What  can 
it  mean  ?  " 

It  occurred  to  him  all  at  once  that  Dick  might  just 
have  been  discharged,  and  this  thought  cheered  him 
up  considerably.  He  entered  the  counting-room  with 
a  jaunty  step. 

"  Good-morning,  Cousin  James,"  he  said. 

Gilbert  turned  round,  and  said,  in  a  surly  tone, 
"  You  may  as  well  take  yourself  off.  There's  no 
chance  for  you  here." 

"  Hasn't  the  boot-black  been  discharged? " 

"  No ;  and  isn't  going  to  be." 

"  How  is  that?"  asked  Roswell,  looking  very  much 
disappointed. 

"  I  can't  stop  to  tell  you  now.     You'd  better  go 

now,  and  I'll  tell  you  this  evening." 
15 


226  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;    OB,    THE 

"  Just  my  luck  !  "  said  Re-swell  to  himself,  consid- 
erably crest-fallen.  "  I  wish  I  hadn't  said  a  word  to 
Edward  McLean  about  the  place." 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  227 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


ANOTHER   ARREST. 


Micky  Maguire,  as  the  reader  will  remember, 
was  by  no  means  satisfied  with  the  compensation  he 
received  from  Gilbert  for  his  share  in  the  plot  which 
came  so  near  proving  disastrous  to  our  friend  Dick. 

He  felt  that  the  book-keeper  had  acted  meanly  to 
him,  and  he  meant  to  have  his  revenge  if  a  good 
opportunity  should  ever  offer.  He  was  very  much 
disappointed  to  think  he  must  do  without  the  watch 
which  he  had  set  his  heart  upon.  He  would  have  felt 
no  particular  scruples  against  stealing  it,  but  that 
would  be  rather  dangerous.  He  began  to  wish  he 
had  kept  the  pocket-book.  Very  probably  it  con- 
tained more  than  enough  to  buy  the  watch. 

But,  in  spite  of  his  disappointment,  he  had  one 
satisfaction.  He  had  avenged  himself  upon  Dick, 
whom  he  had  long  disliked.  He  knew  nothing  of 
Tim  Ryan's  testimony,   and  supposed  there  was  no 


228  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

doubt  of  Dick's  conviction.  He  would  like  very  well 
to  have  been  present  at  the  trial ;  but  he  had  unpleas- 
ant associations  connected  with  the  court-room  at 
the  Tombs,  having  figured  there  on  several  occasions 
in  an  important  but  not  very  enviable  capacity. 

As  he  was  standing  by  the  park  railings,  his  partic- 
ular friend  and  admirer,  Limpy  Jim,  came  up. 

"  Mornin',  Jim,"  said  Micky.     "  What  luck? " 

"  None  at  all,"  said  Jim.  "  I  haven't  had  a  shine 
yet,  and  I'm  precious  hungry." 

"  Come  and  take  breakfast  with  me,"  said  Micky, 
in  an  unusual  fit  of  generosity ;  for  he  was  generally 
more  willing  to  be  treated  than  to  treat. 

"Have  you  got  stamps  enough?  " 

"  Look  at  this,"  and  Micky  displayed  the  bill 
which  he  had  received  from  Gilbert. 

"  You're  in  luck,  Micky.  Did  you  make  all  that 
by  shines?" 

"  Never  mind  how  I  made  it.  I  guess  it's  good. 
Come  along  if  you're  hungry." 

Limpy  Jim  followed  Micky  across  Printing-House 
Square  to  a  cheap  restaurant  on  Nassau  Street, 
between  Ann  and  Beekman  Streets,  and  they  were 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  229 

soon  partaking  with  relish  of  a  breakfast  which,  as 
they  were  not  very  fastidious,  proved  abundantly 
satisfactory. 

"I've  got  some  news,"  said  Micky,  after  he  had 
drained  his  cup  of  coffee.  "  You  haven't  forgot  Rag- 
ged Dick,  have  ye  ?  " 

"  He's  set  up  for  a  gentleman.  I  saw  him  a  week 
Ago  strutting  round  as  if  he  lived  on  Fifth .  Avenue." 

"  Well,  he's  set  up  for  something  else  now." 

"  What's  that?" 

"  A  pickpocket." 

"What?"  asked  Jim,  amazed. 

"  He  stole  an  old  chap's  pocket-book  yesterday 
afternoon,  and  I  seed  a  policeman  haulin'  him  off  to 
the  p'lice  station." 

"That's  where  he  gets  his  good  clo'es  from?" 
suggested  Jim. 

"  Most  likely.  I  expect  he's  on  his  way  to  the 
Island  by  this  time." 

"  Serve  him  right  for  puttin'  on  airs.  He  won't  pre- 
tend to  be  so  much  better  than  the  rest  of  us  now." 

"Wonder  what  Tom  Wilkins '11  say?  He's  a 
great  friend  of  Dick's." 


230  FAME   AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  He's  a  sneak,"  said  Micky. 

"That's  so.  I  wanted  to  borrer  a  shillin'  of  him 
last  week,  and  he  wouldn't  lend  it  to  me." 

This  Tom  Wilkins  was  a  boot-black  like  the  two 
who  were  expressing  so  unfavorable  an  opinion  of 
his  character.  He  had  a  mother  and  two  sisters  par- 
tially dependent  upon  him  for  support,  and  faithfully 
carried  home  all  his  earnings.  This  accounts  for 
his  being  unwilling  to  lend  Limpy  Jim,  who  had  no 
one  to  look  out  for  but  himself,  and  never  considered 
it  necessary  to  repay  borrowed  money.  Tom  had 
reason  to  feel  friendly  to  Dick,  for  on  several  occa- 
sions, one  of  which  is  mentioned  in  the  first  volume 
of  this  series,  Dick  had  given  him  help  in  time  of 
need.  He  was  always  ready  to  defend  Dick,  when 
reviled  by  Micky  and  his  followers,  and  had  once  or 
twice  been  attacked  in  consequence.  Limpy  Jim 
was  right  in  supposing  that  nothing  would  disturb 
Tom  more  than  to  hear  that  his  friend  had  got  into 
trouble. 

Micky,  who  was  in  a  generous  mood,  bought  a 
couple  of  cheap  cigars,  of  ;vhich  he  presented  one  to 
his  satellite.    These  were  lighted,  and   both  boys, 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD  HUNTER.  231 

feeling  more  comfortable  for  the  hearty  meal  of  which 
they  had  partaken,  swaggered  out  into  the  street. 

They  re-entered  the  park,  and  began  to  look  out 
for  patrons. 

"  There's  Tom  Wilkins  now,"  said  Limpy  Jim. 

Tom  was  busily  engaged  in  imparting  a  scientific 
shine  to  the  boots  of  an  old  gentleman  who  was 
sitting  on  one  of  the  wooden  seats  to  be  found  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  City  Hall. 

When  he  had  completed  his  task,  and  risen  from 
his  knees,  Limpy  Jim  advanced  towards  him,  and 
said,  with  a  sneer,  "  I've  heard  fine  news  about  your 
friend  Dick." 

"  What's  that?"  asked  Tom. 

"  He's  got  nabbed  by  a  '  copp.'  " 

"  I  don't  believe  it,"  said  Tom,  incredulously. 

"Isn't  it  so,  Micky?"  said  Jim,  appealing  to  his 
friend.  f 

"  Yes,  it's  true.  I  seed  him  hauled  off  for  pickin' 
an  old  fellow's  pocket  in  Chatham  Street." 

"  I  don't  believe  it,"  repeated  Tom  ;  but  he  began 
to  feel  a  little  uneasy.  "  I  saw  him  and  spoke  to  him 
yesterday  niornin'." 


232  FAME   AND  FORTUNE  J     OR,    THE 

"What  if  you  did?  It  didn't  happen  till  after- 
noon." 

"  Dick  wouldn't  steal,"  said  Tom,  stoutly. 

"  He'll  find  it  mighty  hard  work  provin'  that  he 
didn't,"  said  Micky.  "  You  won't  see  him  for  the 
next  three  months." 

"Why  won't  I?" 

"  Because  he'll  be  at  the  Island.  Maybe  you'll  go 
there  yourself." 

"  If  I  do,  it'll  be  for  the  first  time,"  retorted  Tom ; 
"  and  that's  more  than  either  of  you  can  say." 

As  this  happened  to  be  true,  it  was  of  course 
regarded  as  offensive. 

"Shut  up,  Tom  Wilkins!"  said  Micky,  "if  you 
don't  want  a  lickin'." 

"None  of  your  impudence ! "  said  Limpy  Jim, 
emboldened  by  the  presence  and  support  of  Micky, 
who  was  taller  and  stronger  than  Tom. 

"  I've  only  told  the  truth,"  said  Tom,  "  and  you 
can't  deny  it." 

"  Take  that  for  your  impudence !  "  said  Micky, 
drawing  off,  and  hitting  Tom  a  staggering  blow  on 
the  side  of  the  head. 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  233 

Limpy  Jim  was  about  to  assist  Micky,  when  there 
was  a  very  unlooked-for  interruption.  Micky 
Maguire  was  seized  by  the  collar,  and,  turning  indig- 
nantly, found  himself  in  the  grip  of  a  policeman. 

"  So  you  are  fighting,  are  you,  my  fine  fellow?" 
demanded  the  guardian  of  the  public  peace. 

"  He  insulted  me,"  said  Micky,  doggedly,  not  at- 
tempting resistance,  which  he  knew  would  be  inef- 
fectual.    "  Didn't  he,  Jim  ?  " 

But  Jim  had  already  disappeared.  He  had  a  prej- 
udice, easily  accounted  for,  against  the  metropolitan 
police,  and  had  as  little  communication  with  them  .as 
possible.  . 

"  I  don't  know  anything  about  that,"  said  the 
policeman.     "  All  I  know  is  that  you're  wanted." 

"Just  for  kittin'  him?     I  didn't  hurt  him  any." 

"  He  didn't  hurt  me  much,"  said  Tom,  generously, 
not  desiring  to  see  Micky  get  into  trouble  on  his  ac- 
count. 

"  He  says  I  didn't  hurt  him,"  urged  Micky. 
"  Can't  you  let  me  go  ? " 

"  That  isn't  what  I  want  you  for,"  said  the  police- 
man. 


234  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

Micky  was  astonished.  The  real  cause  of  his 
arrest  never  once  occurred  to  him,  and  he  could  not 
understand  why  he  was  "  wanted." 

"What  is  it,  then?"  he  asked  in  some  surprise. 
"  What  'ave  I  been  doin'  ?" 

"  Perhaps  you  don't  remember  relieving  an  old 
gentleman  of  his  pocket-book  yesterday  in  Chat- 
ham Street." 

"  'Twasn't  me." 

"Who  was  it  then?" 

"  Ragged  Dick,  —  the  feller  that  was  took  at  the 
time.     I  seed  him  pick  the  man's  pocket." 

"  It  seems  that   you  remember  something   about 

it." 

"  But  it  was  Dick  that  did  it.  If  he  says  I  did  it, 
he  lies." 

"  I've  nothing  to  do  with  that.  You  must  tell 
jour  story  to  the  judge." 

"Has  he  let  Dick  go?" 

"  Yes." 

Micky  received  this  intelligence  with  dismay. 
Somehow  it  had  got  out  that  he  was  the  real  thief, 
and  he  began  to  think  that  his  chance  of  getting  off 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  235 

was  small.  Just  then,  while  in  custody  of  the  police- 
man, he  saw  advancing  towards  him  the  man  who 
had  inveigled  him  into  the  plot,  —  Gilbert,  the  book- 
keeper. His  anger  against  Gilbert  overcame  his  pru- 
dence, and  he  said,  "  "Well,  if  I  did  take  the  pocket- 
book,  I  was  paid  for  doin'  it,  and  that  was  the  man 
that  hired  me." 

With  some  surprise,  the  policeman  listened  to  this 
story. 

"  If  you  don't  believe  me,  just  wait  till  I  speak  to 
him." 

"  Mr.  Gilbert !  "  called  Micky. 

Gilbert,  who  had  not  till  now  noticed  his  confed- 
erate, looked  up,  and,  rapidly  understanding  what 
had  happened,  determined  upon  his  course. 

"  "Who  speaks  to  me?"  he  said,  quietly. 

"You've  got  me  into  trouble,  Mr.  Gilbert,"  said 
Micky,  "  and  I  want  you  to  get  me  out  of  it." 

"What  does  he  mean?"  asked  Gilbert,  coolly, 
addressing  the  policeman. 

"  You  hired  me  to  steal  a  man's  pocket-book,  and 
I'm  took  up  for  it,"  said  Micky.  "I  want  you  to 
help  me,  or  I'll  be  sent  to  the  Island." 


236  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

"  The  boy  must  be  crazy,"  said  Gilbert,  shrugging 
his  shoulders. 

"  You  give  me  a  dollar  to  do  it,"  said  Micky,  very 
much  incensed  at  the  desertion  of  his  confederate. 

"Do  you  know  the  boy?"  asked  the  policeman 
respectfully,  for  he  put  no  faith  in  Micky's  statement. 

"  He  blacked  my  boots  once,"  said  Gilbert.  "  That's 
all  I  know  about  him.     What  is  he  arrested  for?  " 

"  For  picking  pockets.  There  was  another  boy 
arrested  on  suspicion,  but  it  appeared  on  trial  that  he 
was  innocent,  and  that  this  boy  really  took  the  wal- 
let." 

"  He  looks  like  a  young  scamp,"  said  Gilbert, 
coolly.  "  I'm  much  obliged  to  him  for  introducing 
my  name  into  the  matter.  I  hope  he'll  get  his  de- 
serts." 

This  was  too  much  for  Micky's  patience.  He 
assailed  Gilbert  with  such  a  shower  of  oaths  that  the 
policeman  tightened  his  grip,  and  shook  him  vigor- 
ously. Gilbert  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  walked 
off  with  apparent  unconcern. 

"Wait  till  I  get  free,"  said  Micky,  furiously. 
"  I'll  fix  him." 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD    HUNTER.  2" 7 

In  regard  to  Micky,  I  have  only  to  say  further  at 
this  time,  that  he  was  at  once  conveyed  to  the  Tombs, 
summarily  tried  and  convicted,  and  spent  the  same 
night  on  Blackwell's  Islaud,  where  we  leave  him  for 
three  months. 


238  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 


CHAPTER   XX. 


BEFORE  THE  PARTY. 


"  You'll  be  able  to  attend  Ida  Greysort's  party 
after  all, '  Dick,"  said  Fosdick,  on  Tuesday  even- 
ing. 

"  Yes,"  said  Dick,  "  I  was  afraid  that  I  should  be 
wanted  to  grace  the  fashionable  circles  at  Blackwell's 
Island ;  but  as  my  particular  friend  Micky  Maguire 
has  kindly  offered  to  go  in  my  place,  I  shall  be  able 
to  keep  my  other  engagement." 

"  Micky's  a  bad  fellow." 

"I'm  afraid  he  is,"  said  Dick ;  "  but  he's  never  had 
a  fair  chance.  His  father  was  a  drunkard,  and  used 
to  beat  him  and  his  mother,  till  Micky  ran  away  from 
home,  and  set  up  for  himself.  He's  never  had  any 
good  example  set  him." 

"  You  speak  kindly  of  Micky,  considering  he  has 
always  been  your  enemy." 

"  I  haven't  any  ill  will  against  Micky,"  said  Dick, 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  239 

generously.  "  If  I  ever  can  do  Mm  a  good  turn  I 
will.  I've  been  luckier  than  he  and  most  of  my  old 
companions.  I'm  going  to  do  all  I  can  to  help  them 
along.  There's  good  in  them  if  you  can  only  bring 
it  out." 

Dick  spoke  earnestly,  in  a  very  different  tone  from 
his  usual  one.  He  had  a  certain  philosophy  of  his 
own,  and  had  alwaj's  taken  the  world  easily,  however 
it  treated  him ;  but  he  had  a'  warm  and  sympa- 
thizing heart  for  the  sufferings  of  others,  and  he  felt 
that  he  was  in  a  position  to  befriend  his  old  asso- 
ciates, and  encourage  them  to  higher  aims  and  a 
better  mode  of  life. 

"  You're  a  good  fellow,  Dick,"  said  Fosdick.  "  It 
isn't  everybody  that  is  so  charitable  to  the  faults  of 
others." 

"  I  know  one,"  said  Dick,  smiling. 

"  You  mean  me  ;  but  I'm  afraid  you  are  mistaken. 
I  can't  say  I  feel  very  well  disposed  towards  Micky 
Maguire." 

"  Maybe  Micky '11  reform  and  turn  out  well  after 
ill." 

"  It  would  be  a  wonderful  change." 


240  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;    OK,    THE 

"  Haven't  both  of  us  changed  wonderfully  in  the 
last  eighteen  months  ?  " 

"  You  were  always  a  good  fellow,  even  when  you 
were  Ragged  Dick." 

"You  say  that  because  you  are  my  friend,  Fos- 
dick." 

"  I  say  it  because  it's  true,  Dick.  You  were 
always  ready  to  take  the  side  of  the  weak  against  the 
strong,  and  share  your  money  with  those  who  were 
out  of  luck.  I  had  a  hard  time  till  I  fell  in  with 
you." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Dick ;  "  if  I  ever  want  a  first- 
rate  recommendation  I'll  come  to  you.  What  a  lot 
of  friends  I've  got !  Mr.  Gilbert  offered  to  get  me 
another  place  if  I'd  only  resign  nry  situation  at  Eock- 
well  &  Cooper's." 

"  He's  a  very  disinterested  friend,"  said  Fos- 
dick,  laughing.  "  Do  you  think  of  accepting  his 
offer?" 

"  I'm  afraid  I  might  not  be  suited  with  the  place 
he'd  get  me,"  said  Dick.  "  He  thinks  I'm  best  fitted 
to  adorn  the  office  of  a  boot-black.  Maybe  he'd 
appoint  me  his  private  boot-black ;  but  I'm  afraid  I 


PROGRESS    OF  RICIIARD   HUNTER.  241 

shouldn't  be  able  to  retire  on  a  fortune  till  I  was  two 
or  three  hundred,  if  I  accepted  the  situation." 

"  What  shall  we  wear  to  the  party,  Dick?" 

"  We've  got  good  suits  of  clothes.  We  can  carry 
them  to  a  tailor's  and  have  them  pressed,  and  they 
will  look  well  enough.  I  saw  a  splendid  necktie  to- 
day at  a  store  on  Broadway.     I'm  going  to  buy  it." 

"  You  have  a  weakness  for  neckties,  Dick." 

"  You  see,  Fosdick,  if  you  have  a  striking  necktie, 
p"eople  will  look  at  that,  and  they  won't  criticise  your 
face." 

"There  may  be  something  in  that,  Dick.  I  feel  a 
little  nervous  though.  It  is  the  first  fashionable 
party  I  ever  attended." 

"  Well,"  said  Dick,  "  I  haven't  attended  many. 
When  I  was  a  boot-black  I  found  it  interfered  with 
my  business,  and  so  I  always  declined  all  the  fashion- 
able invitations  I  got." 

"You'd  have  made  a  sensation,"  said  Fosdick, 
"if  you  had  appeared  in  the  costume  you  then 
wore." 

"  That's  what   I  was  afraid  of.     I  don't  want  to 

make  a  sensation.     I'm  too  modest." 
16 


242  FAME   AND  FORTUNE;     OX,    THE 

In  fact  both  the  boys,  though  they  were  fluttered 
by  Ida's  invitation,  looked  forward  rather  nervously 
to  the  evening  of  the  party.  For  the  first  tin.e  they 
were  to  meet  and  mingle  on  terms  of  equality  with  a 
large  number  of  young  people  who  had  been  brought 
up  very  differently  from  themselves.  Dick  could  not 
help  remembering  how  short  a  time  had  elapsed  since, 
with  his  little  wooden  box  strapped  to  his  back,  he 
used  to  call  out,  "Black  your  boots?"  in  the  city 
park.  Perhaps  some  of  his  old  customers  might  be 
present.  Still  he  knew  that  he  had  improved  greatly, 
and  that  his  appearance  had  changed  for  the  better. 
It  was  hardly  likely  that  any  one  seeing  him  in  Mr. 
Greyson's  drawing-room,  would  identify  him  as  the 
Ragged  Dick  of  other  days.  Then  there  was  another 
ground  for  confidence.  Ida  liked  him,  and  he  had  a 
sincere  liking  for  the  little  girl  for  whom  he  had  a 
feeling  such  as  a  brother  has  for  a  cherished  younger 
sister.  So  Dick  dressed  himself  for  the  party,  feeling 
that  he  should  "  get  through  it  somehow." 

I  need. not  say,  of  course,  that  his  boots  shone  with 
a  lustre  not  to  be  surpassed  even  by  the  professional 
expert  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel.     It  was  very  evi 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  243 

dent  that  Dick  had  not  forgotten  the  business  by 
which  he  once  gained  his  livelihood. 

When  Dick  had  arranged  his  necktie  to  suit  him, 
■which  I  am  bound  to  confess  took  at  least  quarter  of 
an  hour,  had  carefully  brushed  his  hair,  and  dusted 
his  clothes,  he  certainly  looked  remarkably  well. 
Dick  was  not  vain,  but  he  was  anxious  to  appear 
to  advantage  on  his  first  appearance  in  society.  It 
need  not  be  added  that  Fosdick  also  was  neatly 
dressed,  but  he  was  smaller  and  more  delicate-looking 
than  Dick,  and  not  likely  to  attract  so  much  at- 
tention. 

As  the  boys  were  descending  the  stairs  they  met 
Miss  Peyton. 

"  Really,  Mr.  Hunter,"  said  that  young  lady,  "  you 
look  quite  dazzling  this  evening.  How  many  hearts 
do  you  expect  to  break  this  evening  ?  " 

"  I'm  not  in  that  line  of  business,"  said  Dick.  "  I 
leave  all  that  to  you." 

"  You're  too  bad,  really,  Mr.  Hunter,"  said  Miss 
Peyton,  highly  pleased,  nevertheless.  "  I  never 
think  of  such  a  thing." 

"  I  suppose  I  must  believe  you,"  said  Dick,   •  but 


244  FAME   AND   FORTUNE',     OR,    THE 

why  is  it  that  Mr.  Clifton  has  looked  so  sad  late- 

ly?" 

"  Mr.  Clifton  would  not  think  of  poor  me,"  said 
Miss  Peyton. 

"  If  you  only  knew  what  he  said  about  you  the 
other  day." 

"  Do  tell  me." 

11 1  couldn't." 

"  If  you  will,  I'll  give  you  —  " 

"  Thauk  you,"  interrupted  Dick,  gravely  ;  "  but  I 
never  accept  kisses  from  ladies  over  six  years  old." 

"  How  can  you  say  so,  Mr.  Hunter?  " 

"  I'm  sorry  to  disappoint  you,  Miss  Peyton,  but  I 
really  couldn't." 

"As  if  I  ever  thought  of  such  a  thing  ! "  said  Miss 
Peyton,  in  affected  horror. 

"  I  appeal  to  my  friend  Fosclick." 

"  Did  I  say  so,  Mr.  Fosdick?" 

Fosd-ick  smiled. 

"  You  mustn't  appeal  to  me,  Miss  Peyton.  You 
and  Mr.  Hunter  are  so  brilliant  that  I  don't  pretend 
to  understand  you." 

"  Then  you  won't  tell  me  what  Mr.  Clifton  said. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  245 

It  i3  too  bad.  I  shan't  sleep  to-night  for  thinking 
of  it." 

"  Suppose  you  ask  Mr.  Clifton." 

"  I  don't  know  but  I  will." 

Miss  Peyton  went  into  the  parlor,  her  heart  flutter- 
ing with  the  thought  that  she  had  made  a  conquest 
of  the  gentleman  referred  to.  As  Mr.  Clifton  was  a 
clerk  on  a  small  salary,  continually  in  debt,  and  with 
no  expectations,  he  could  not  be  considered  a  very 
brilliant  match  ;  but  Miss  Peyton  was  not  very  partic- 
ular, and  she  would  have  readily  changed  her  name 
to  Clifton  if  the  chance  should  present  itself.  As  we 
may  not  have  occasion  to  refer  to  her  again,  it  may 
be  as  well  to  state  that  Mr.  Clifton's  pecuniary  affairs 
came  to  a  crisis  some  months  afterwards.  He  had 
always  been  in  the  habit  of  laughing  at  Miss  Peyton  ; 
but  in  his  strait  he  recollected  that  she  was  mistress 
of  a  few  thousand  dollars  over  which  she  had  absolute 
control.  Under  these  circumstances  he  decided  to 
sacrifice  himself.  He  accordingly  offered  his  heart 
and  hand,  and  was  promptly  accepted.  Miss  Peyton 
informed  him  that  he  was  "  the  object  of  her  heart's 
tenderest  affection,  her  first   and   only  love."     Mr. 


246  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;     07?,    THE 

Clifton  expressed  no  doubt  of  this,  though  he  was 
aware  that  Miss  Peyton  had  heen  laying  her  snares 
for  a  husband  for  nearly  ten  years. 

The  marriage  took  place  at  the  boarding-house, 
Dick  and  Fosdick  being  among  the  invited  guests. 

Mr.  Clifton  with  his  wife's  money  bought  a  partner- 
ship in  a  retail  store  on  Eighth  Avenue,  where  it  is  to 
be  hoped  he  is  doing  a  good  business.  Any  one  de- 
sirous of  calling  upon  him  at  his  place  of  business  is 
referred  to  the  New  York  City  Directory  for  his  num- 
ber. Whether  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clifton  live  happily  I 
cannot  pretend  to  say,  not  being  included  in  the  list 
of  their  friends  ;  but  I  am  informed  by  my  friend 
Dick,  who  calls  occasionally,  that  Mrs.  Clifton  is  as 
fascinating  now  as  before  her  mai*riage,  and  very  nat- 
urally scorns  ths  whole  sisterhood  of  old  maids,  hav- 
ing narrowly  escaped  becoming  one  herself. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  247 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


IDA  GREYSON  S  PARTY. 


When  Dick  and  his  friend  reached  Mr.  Greyson's 
house,  two  carriages  stood  before  the  door,  from  each 
of  which  descended  young  guests,  who,  like  them- 
selves, had  been  invited  to  the  party.*  One  of  these 
brought  two  young  girls  of  twelve,  the  other  two  boys 
of  twelve  and  fourteen,  and  their  sister  of  ten.  En- 
tering with  this  party,  the  two  boys  felt  less  embar- 
rassed than  if  the}'  had  been  alone.  The  door  was 
opened  b}r  a  servant,  who  said,  "  Young  ladies'  dress- 
ing-room, second  floor,  left-hand  room.  Young  gen- 
tlemen's dressing-room  opposite." 

Following  directions,  the  boys  went  upstairs  and 
entered  a  spWcious  chamber,  where  they  deposited 
their  outer  garments,  and  had  an  opportunity  to 
arrange  their  hair  and  brush  their  clothes. 

"  Is  your  sister  here  this  evening?"  as*kcd  one  of 
the  boys,  addressing  Dick. 


248  fame  axd  fortune;   or,  tre 

"  No,"  said  Dick,  soberly  ;|"  she  couldn't  come." 

"  I'm  sorry  for  that.  She  promised  to  dance  with 
me  the  first  Lancers." 

"  Wouldn't  I  do  as  well  ?  "  asked  Dick. 

"  I  don't  think  you  would,"  said  the  other,  laugh- 
ing. "  But  I'll  tell  you  what,  — you  shall  dance  with 
my  sister." 

"  I  will,  with  pleasure,"  said  Dick,  "  if  you'll  intro- 
duce me." 

"  Why,  I  thought  you  knew  her,"  said  the  other,  in 
surprise. 

"  Perhaps  I  did,"  said  Dick ;  "  but  I  exchanged 
myself  off  for  another  boy  just  before  I  came,  and 
that  makes  a  difference,  you  know.  I  shouldn't  have 
known  you,  if  you  hadn't  spoken  to  me." 

"Do  you  know  me  now?"  asked  the  other  boy, 
beginning  to  understand  that  he  had  made  a  mistake. 

"  You  live  on  Twenty-First  Street,  — don't  3-011?" 

"  Yes,"  was  the  unexpected  reply,  for  Dick  had  by 
a  curious  chance  guessed  right.  "You're  Henry 
Cameron,  after  all." 

"  No,"  said  Dick ;  "  my  name  is  Richard  Hunter." 

"  And  mine  is  Theodore  Selden  ;  but  I  suppose  you 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  249 

knew  that,  as  you  knew  where  I  live.     If  you're 
ready,  we'll  go  downstairs." 

"  Come,  Fosdick,"  said  Dick. 

"We're  going  to  have  the  Lancers  first,"  said 
Theodore.  "  Ida  told  my  sister  so.  Have  you  a 
partner   engaged  ?  " 

»  No." 

"  Then  I'll  introduce  you  to  my  sister.  Come 
along." 

I  may  explain  here  that  Dick,  and  Fosdick  also, 
had  several  times  danced  the  Lancers  in  the  parlor  at 
the  boarding-house  in  the  evening,  co  that  they  felt 
reasonably  confident  of  getting  through  respectably. 
Still  his  new  friend's  proposal  made  Dick  feel  a  little 
nervous.  He  was  not  bashful  with  boys,  but  he  had 
very  little  acquaintance  with  girls  or  young  ladies, 
and  expected  to  feel  ill  at  ease  with  them.  Still  he 
could  not  think  of  a  good  reason  for  excusing  himself 
from  the  promised  introduction,  and,  after  going  up  to 
Ida  in  compan}'  with  his  new  friend,  and  congratu- 
lating her  on  her  birthday  (be  would  not  have  known 
how  to  act  if  Theodore  had  not  set  him  an  example), 
he  walked  across  the  room  to  where  one  of  the  young 


250  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

ladies  who  had  entered  at  the  time  he  did  was 
seated. 

"  Alice,"  said  Theodore,  "  this  is  nry  friend  Mr. 
Hunter,  who  would  like  to  dance  with  you  in  the  first 
Lancers." 

Dick  bowed,  and  Alice,  producing  a  card,  said,  "  I 
shall  be  most  happy.  Will  Mr.  Hunter  write  his 
name  on  m}*  card  ?  " 

Dick  did  so,  and  was  thankful  that  he  could  now 
write  a  handsome  hand. 

"Now,"  said  Theodore,  unceremoniously,  "I'll 
leave  you  two  to  amuse  each  other,  while  I  go  off  in 
search  of  a  partner." 

"I'm  in  for  it,"  thought  Dick,  seating  himself  on 
the  sofa  beside  Alice.  "  I  wish  I  knew  what  to 
say." 

"Do  you  like  the  Lancers?"  inquired  the  young 
lady. 

"  Yes,  I  like  it,"  said  Dick,  "  but  I  haven't  danced 
it  much.     I'm  afraid  I  shall  make  some  mistakes." 

"  I've  no  doubt  we  shall  get  along  well,"  said 
Alice.     "Where   did    you  learn?" 

"  I  learned  at  home,"  said  Dick. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD    HUNTER.  251 

"  I  thought  I  had  not  met  you  at  Dodwortk's.  I 
attended  dancing  school  there  last  winter." 

"  No,"  said  Dick  ;  "  I  never  took  lessons." 

"  Don't  you  like  Ida  Greyson?"  inquired  Alice. 

"  Yes,  I  like  her  very  much,"  said  Dick,  sincerely. 

"  She's  a  sweet  girl.  She's  a  very  intimate  friend 
of  mine.  Who  is  that  boy  that  came  into  the  room 
with  you  ? " 

"  His  name  is  Henry  Fosdick." 

"  He's  going  to  dance  with  Ida.  Come,  let  us 
hurry  and  get  in  the  same  set." 

Dick  offered  his  arm,  and,  as  the  sets  were  already 
being  formed,  led  his  partner  to  the  upper  end  of  the 
room,  where  they  were  just  in  time  to  get  into  the 
same  set  with  Ida. 

Theodore,  with  a  girl  about  his  own  age,  had 
already  taken  his  position  opposite  Dick.  Fosdick 
and  Ida  were  the  first  couple,  and  opposite  them 
Isaac  and  Isabella  Selden,  cousins  of  Theodore  and 
Alice. 

They  had  scarcely  taken  their  places  when  the 
music  struck  up.  Dick  felt  a  little  flustered,  but 
determined  to  do  his  best.     Being  very  quick  in  learn- 


252  fame  and  fortune;  or,  the 

ing  figures,  and  naturally  gracefully  in  his  move- 
ments, he  got  through  very  creditably,  and  without 
a  mistake. 

"  I  thought  you  expected  to  make  mistakes,"  said 
Alice  Selden,  as  Dick  led  her  back  to  her  seat.  "I 
think  you  dance  very  well." 

"  It  was  because  I  had  such  a  good  partner,"  said 
Dick. 

"Thank  you  for  the  compliment,"  said  Alice, 
courtesy  ing  profoundly. 

"  Seems  to  me  you're  very  polite,  Alice,"  said 
Theodore,  coming  up. 

"  Mr.  Hunter  was  paying  me  a  compliment,"  said 
Alice. 

"  I  wish  you'd  tell  me  how,"  said  Theodore  to 
Dick. 

"  I  wish  he  would,"  interrupted  Alice.  "  All  your 
compliments  are  of  the  wrong  kind." 

"  It  isn't  expected  that  brothers  should  compliment 
their  sisters,"  said  Theodore. 

Mrs.  Greyson  came  into  the  room  during  the  dan- 
cing, and  was  pleased  to  see  that  Dick  and  Henry 
Fosdick,  instead  of  sitting  awkwardly  in  the  corner, 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  253 

were  taking  their  part  in  the  evening's  amusement. 
Dick  made  an  engagement  with  Alice  for  another 
dance  later  in  the  evening,  but  danced  the  second 
with  Ida  Greyson,  with  whom,  by  this  time,  he  felt 
very  well  acquainted. 

"  I  didn't  know  you  knew  Alice  Selden,"  said  Ida. 
"Where  did  you  meet  her?" 

"  Her  brother  Theodore  introduced  me  this  even- 
ing.    I  did  not  know  her  before." 

"  You  haven't  been  here  lately,  Dick,"  said   Ida, 
familiarly. 

"  No,"  said  he.    "  It's  because  I've  been  very  busy." 

"  You  don't  work  in  the  evening,  —  do  you?" 

"  I  study  in  the  evening." 

"  What  do  you  study,  Dick? ' 

"  French,  for  one  thing." 

"  Can  you  speak  French?  " 

"  A  little.     Not  much." 

"I'm  going   to   try  you      '•Comment  votes  portez- 
vous,  monsieur?"' 

"  '  Tres  bien,  mademoiselle.     Et  vousV" 

"  That's  right,"  said  Ida,  gravely.     "  I  can't  talk 
much  yet  myself.     Who  teaches  you  ?  " 


254  fame  am)  fortune;  or,  the 

"  I  have  a  private  teacher." 

"  So  have  I.  She  comes  twice  a  week.  When  I 
don't  know  my  lesson,  she  boxes  my  ears.  Is  your 
teacher  cross  ? " 

"No,"  said  Dick,  laughing.  "He  doesn't  box 
my  ears." 

"That's  because  you're  so  large.  I  wish  I  could 
have  3rou  for  my  teacher.  I'd  ask  papa,  if  you  could 
only  speak  it  like  a  native." 

"  So  I  can,"  said  Dick. 

"You  can,  really?" 

"  Yes,  like  a  native  of  New  York." 

Ida  laughed,  and  was  afraid  that  wouldn't  do. 

When  the  dance  was  over,  and  Dick  was  leading 
Ida  to  her  seat,  a  surprise  awaited  him.  A  boy 
came  forward  hastily,  and  said  in  a  tone  blending 
amazement  with  gratification,  "Is  it  possible  that 
this  is  Dick  Hunter?" 

"  Frank  Whitney  !  "  exclaimed  Dick,  clasping  his 
haul  cordially.     "  How  came  you  here?" 

;' Just  the  question  I  was  going  to  ask  you,  Dick. 
But  I'll  answer  first.  I  am  spending  a  few  days 
with  some  cousins  in  Thirty-Seventh  Street.     They 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   OUSTER.  2o5 

are  Meads  of  the  Greysons,  and  were  invited  here 
this  evening,  and  I  with  them.  I  little  dreamed-  of 
meeting  you  here.  I  must  say,  Dick,  you  seem  quite 
at  home." 

"Mr.  Gre}rson  has  been  a  kind  friend  of  mine," 
said  Dick,  "  and  I  've  met  Ida  quite  often.  But  I  felt 
a  little  nervous  about  coming  to  this  party.  I  was 
afraid  I  'd  be  like  a  cat  in  a  strange  garret." 

"  You're  a  wonderful  boy,  Dick.  You  look  as  if 
you  had  been  used  to  such  scenes  all  your  life.  I  can 
hardly  believe  you're  the  same  boy  I  met  in  front  of 
the  Astor  House  a  little  more  than  a  year  ago." 

"  If  I'm  changed,  it's  because  of  what  you  said  to 
me  then,  you  and  your  father.  But  for  those  words 
I  might  still  have  been  Ragged  Dick." 

"  I'm  glad  to  hear  you  say  that,  Dick  ;  but,  for  all 
that,  a  great  deal  of  credit  is  due  to  yourself." 

"•I've  worked  hard,"  said  Dick,  "because  I  felt 
that  I  had  something  to  work  for.  When  are  you 
going  to  enter  college  ?  " 

"  I  expect  to  apply  for  admission  in  about  two 
months." 

"  At  Columbia  College  ?  " 


256  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  Yes." 

"  I  am  glad  of  that.  I  shall  hope  to  see  you  some- 
times." 

"You  will  see  me  often,  Dick." 

Here  the  music  struck  up,  and  the  boys  parted. 
It  is  unnecessary  to  speak  farther  of  the  events  of  the 
evening.  Dick  made  several  other  acquaintances, 
and  felt  much  more  at  ease  than  he  had  anticipated. 
He  returned  home,  feeling  that  his  first  party  had 
been  a  very  agreeable  one,  and  that  he  had  on  the 
whole  appeared  to  advantage. 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD' HUNTER.  257 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

MICKY   MAGUIRE   RETURNS   FROM   THE   ISLAND. 

For  three  months  Micky  Maguire  was  not  seen  in 
his  accustomed  haunts.  During  his  involuntary 
residence  at  the  Island  he  often  brooded  over  the 
treachery  of  Gilbert,  to  whom  his  present  misfortune 
was  due.  He  felt  that  he  had  been  selfishly  left  to 
his  fate  by  his  equally  guilty  confederate.  It  had 
certainly  been  a  losing  speculation  for  poor  Micky. 
He  had  received  but  a  paltry  dollar  for  his  services, 
and  in  return  he  was  deprived  of  his  liberty  for  three 
months. 

The  disgrace  of  being  sent  to  the  Island  Micky  did 

not  feel   as   Dick  would  have  done.     He  had   been 

there  too  many  times  to  care  for  that.     But  he  did 

not  like  the  restraints  of  the  place,  and  he  did  like 

the   free   and   independent    life  of   the  streets  from 

which  for  a  time  he  was  debarred. 

The  result  of  Micky's  brooding  was  a  strong  thirst 
17 


258  FAME    AND  FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

for  vengeance  upon  the  author  of  his  misfortunes.  He 
could  do  nothing  at  present,  but  only  bide  his  time. 

Meanwhile  things  went  on  pretty  much  as  usual  at 
the  establishment  in  Pearl  Street.  Gilbert  liked 
Dick  no  better  than  he  had  done.  In  fact,  he  disliked 
him  more,  but,  seeing  the  friendly  relations  be- 
tween Dick  and  his  employer,  found  it  prudent 
to  treat  him  well  whenever  Mr.  Rockwell  was 
by.  At  other  times  he  indulged  in  sneers  and  fault- 
finding, which  Dick  turned  off  good-humoredly, 
or  returned  some  droll  answer,  which  blunted  the 
edge  of  the  sarcasm,  and  made  the  book-keeper  chafe 
with  the  feeling  that  he  was  no  match  for  the  boy  he 
hated.  Dick,  by  faithful  attention  to  his  duties,  and 
a  ready  comprehension  of  what  was  required  of  him, 
steadily  advanced  in  the  good  opinion  of  every  one 
except  Gilbert. 

"  Keep  on  as  you  have  begun,  Richard,"  said  Mr. 
Murdoch  to  him,  "  and  you'll  be  a  member  of  the  firm 
some  time." 

"Do  you  really  think  so,  Mr.  Murdoch?"  asked 
Dick,  with   a  flush  of  gratification. 

"I  really  do.      You  have  excellent  abilities,  Mr. 


PROGIIESS    OF  RICHARD    HUNTER.  2  J 9 

Rockwell  likes  you,  and  you  have  only  to  continue 
steady  and  faithful,  and  you'll  be  sure  to  rise." 

"  You  know  what  I  was,  Mr.  Murdock." 

"  You  are  none  the  worse  for  that,  Richard.  It  is 
a  great  credit  to  a  boy  to  earn  his  own  living  when 
circumstances  force  it  upon  him.  If  his  employment 
is  an  honest  one,  it  is  an  honorable  one." 

By  such  remarks  as  these  Dick  was  encouraged, 
and  he  felt  that  Mr.  Murdock  was  a  true  friend  to 
him.  Meanwhile  a  way  was  opening  for  his  advance- 
ment. 

One  day  Micky  Maguire  appeared  in  his  old  haunts. 
The  second  day  he  met  Gilbert  in  the  street ;  but  the 
book-keeper  took  not  the  slightest  notice  of  him. 
That  touched  Micky's  pride,  and  confirmed  him  in  his 
resolution.  He  decided  to  make  known  to  Mr. 
Rockwell  Gilbert's  share  in  the  little  plot,  thinking 
that  this  would  probably  be  the  best  method  of  in- 
juring him.  , 

He  ascertained,  by  means  of  a  directory,  with  some 
difficulty,  for  Micky's  education  was  rather  slight, 
the  residence  of  Mr.  Rockwell,  and  about  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening  ascended  the  steps  and  rang 


260  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;  OK,    THE 

the  bell.  He  might  have  gone  to  his  place  of  business, 
but  Gilbert  would  be  there,  and  he  preferred  to  see 
Mr.  Eockwell  at  home. 

The  servant  stared  at  the  odd  and  not  particularly 
prepossessing  figure  before  her. 

"  Is  Mr.  Rockwell  at  home?  "  asked  Micky 

"  Yes." 

"  I  want  to  see  him." 

"  Did  he  tell  you  to  call?  " 

"  It 's  on  particular  business,"  said  Micky. 

"  Stop  here  and  I'll  tell  him,"  said  the  girl. 

" There's  a  boy  at  the  door  wants  to  see  you,  Mr. 
Rockwell,"  said  the  girl. 

"Did  you  ask  him  in?" 

"No  sir.      He  looks  like  a  suspicious  carakter," 
said  Bridget,  laying  the  stress  on  the  second  syllable. 

Mr.  Rockwell  rose,  and  went  to  the  door. 

"  "What  is  your  business?"  he  asked. 

"It's  about  Dick, — Ragged  Dick  we  used  to  call 
him,"  said  Micky. 

"  You  mean  Richard  Hunter." 

"  Yes,"  said  Micky.     "  He  was  took  up  for  stealin' 
a  gentleman's  pocket-book  three  months  ago." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  261 

"But  he  was  proved  innocent,"  said  Mr.  Rock- 
well, "  so,  if  you  have  anything  to  say  against  him, 
your  time  is  thrown  away." 

"  I  know  he  was  innocent,"  said  Micky ;  "  another 
boy  took  it." 

"Who  was  he?" 

"  I  did  it." 

"  Then  you  did  a  wicked  thing  in  stealing  the 
money,  and  a  mean  thing  in  trying  to  get  an  innocent 
hoy  into  trouble." 

" I  wouldn't  have  done  it,"  said  Micky,  "if  I 
hadn't  been  paid  for  it." 

"  Paid  for  stealing ! "  said  Mr.  Rockwell,  aston- 
ished. 

"  Paid  for  tryin'  to  get  Dick  into  trouble." 

"  That  does  not  seem  to  be  a  very  likely  stoiy," 
said  Mr.  Rockwell.  "  Who  would  pay  you  money 
for  doing  such  a  thing  ?  " 

"Mr.  Gilbert." 

"  My  book-keeper?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Micky,  vindictively. 

"  I  can  hardly  believe  this,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell. 

"  He  paid  me  only  a  dollar  for  what  I  did,"  said 


262  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

Micky,  in  an  injured  tone.  "  He'd  ought  to  have 
given  me  five   dollars.     He's  a  reg'lar  mean  feller." 

"  And  is  this  why  you  betray  hiin  now?  " 

"  No,"  said  Micky ;  "  it  isn't  the  money,  though 
it's  mean  to  expect  a  feller  to  run  the  risk  of  bein' 
nabbed  for  a  dollar  ;  but  when  the  '  copp '  had  got 
hold  of  me  I  met  him,  and  he  said  I  was  a  young 
scamp,  and  he  didn't  know  anything  about  me." 

"Is  this  true?"  asked  Mr.  Rockwell,  looking 
keenly  at  Micky. 

Micky  confirmed  his  statement  by  an  oath. 

"  I  don't  want  you  to  swear.  I  shall  not  believe 
you  the  sooner  for  that.  Can  you  explain  why  Mr. 
Gilbert  should  engage  in  such  a  base  conspiracy?" 

"  He  told  me  that  he  hated  Dick,"  said  Micky. 

"  Do  you  like  him?  " 

"  No,  I  don't,"  said  Micky,  honestly  ;  "  but  I  hate 
Mr.  Gilbert  worse." 

"  "Why  do  you  hate  Richard?" 

"  Because  he  puts  on  airs." 

"  I  suppose,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell,  smiling,  "  that 
means  that  he  wears  good  clothes,  and  keeps  his  face 
and  hands  clean." 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  2C3 

"  He  wasn't  nothin'  but  a  boot-black,"  said  Micky, 
in  an  injured  tone. 

"What  are  you?" 

"  I'm  a  boot-black  too  ;  but  I  don't  put  on  airs." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  be  a  boot-black  all  your  life?  " 

"I  dunna,"  said  Micky;  "there  aint  anything 
else  to  do." 

"Tell  me  truly,  wouldn't  you  rather  wear  good 
clothes  than  poor  ones,  and  keep  yourself  clean  and 
neat?" 

"  Yes,  I  should,"  said  Micky,  after  a  slight  hesita- 
tion. 

"  Then  why  do  you  blame  Dick  for  preferring  to  do 
the  same  ?  " 

"  He  licked  me  once,"  said  Micky,  rather  reluct- 
antly, shifting  his  ground. 

"What  for?" 

"  I  fired  a  stone  at  him." 

"  You  can't  blame  him  much  for  that,  can  you?  " 

"  No,"  said   Micky,  slowly,  "  I  dunno  as  I  can." 

"  For  my  own  part  I  have  a  very  good  opinion  of 
Richard,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell.  "  He  wants  to  raise 
himself  in  the  world,  and  1  am  glad  to  help  him.     If 


264:  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;     OR,    THE 

that  is  putting  on  airs,  I  should  be  glad  to  see  yoit 
doing  the  same." 

"  There  aint  no  chance  for  me,"  said  Micky. 

"Why  not?" 

"  I  aint  lucky  as  Dick  is." 

"  Dick  may  have  been  lucky,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell , 
"but  I  generally  find  that  luck  comes  oftenest  to 
those  who  deserve  it.  If  you  will  try  to  raise  your- 
self I  will  help  you." 

"  Will  you?"  asked  Micky,  in  surprise. 

The  fact  was,  he  had  been  an  Ishmaelite  from  his 
earliest  years,  and  while  he  had  been  surrounded  by 
fellows  like  Limpy  Jim,  who  were  ready  to  encourage 
and  abet  him  in  schemes  of  mischief,  he  had  never 
had  any  friends  who  deserved  the  name.  That  a 
gentleman  like  Mr.  Rockwell  should  voluntarily  offer 
to  assist  him  was  indeed  surprising. 

"  How  old  are  you?  "  asked  Mr.  Rockwell. 

"  Seventeen,"  said  Micky. 

"  How  long  have  yoxx  blacked  boots?  " 

"  Ever  since  I  was  eight  or  nine." 

"  I  think  it  is  time  f  Dr  you  to  do  something  else." 

"What  will  I  do?" 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  265 

"  We  must  think  of  that.  I  must  also  think  of  the 
information  you  have  given  me  in  regard  to  Mr. 
Gilbert.     You  are  certain  you  are  telling  the  truth." 

"  Yes,"  said  Micky  ;  "  it's  the  truth." 

Micky  did  not  swear  this  time,  and  Mr.  Rockwell 
believed  him. 

"  Let  me  see,"  he  said,  reflecting ;  "  can  you  be  at 
my  store  to-morrow  morning  at  ten  o'clock  ?  " 

"  I  can,"  said  Micky,  promptly. 

"  What  is  your  name?" 

"  Micky  Maguire." 

"Good-night,  Michael." 

"  Good-night,  sir,"  said  Micky,  respectfully. 

He  walked  away  with  a  crowd  of  new  thoughts  and 
new  aspirations  kindling  in  his  breast.  A  gentleman 
had  actually  offered  to  help  him  on  in  the  world. 
Nobody  had  ever  taken  any  interest  in  him  before. 
Life  to  him  had  been  a  struggle  and  a  conflict,  with 
very  little  hope  of  better  things.  He  had  supposed 
he  should  leave  off  blacking  boots  some  time,  but  no 
prospect  seemed  open  before  him. 

"  Why  shouldn't  I  get  up  in  the  world  ?  "  he  thought, 
with  new  ambition. 


266  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OB,    THE 

He  half  confessed  to  himself  that  he  had  led  a 
bad  life,  and  vague  thoughts  of  amendment  came  to 
him.  Somebody  was  going  to  take  an  interest  in 
him.  That  "was  the  secret  of  his  better  thoughts  and 
purposes. 

On  the  whole,  I  begin  to  think  there  is  hope  for 
Micky. 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  267 


CHAPTER    XXIII 


FAME   AND    FORTUNE. 


Mr.  Gilbert  chanced  to  be  looking  out  of  the  win- 
dow of  Mr.  Rockwell's  counting-room,  when  he  was 
unpleasantly  surprised  l>y  the  sudden  apparition  of 
Micky  Maguire.  He  was  destined  to  be  still  more 
unpleasantly  surprised.  Micky  walked  up  to  the 
main  entrance,  and  entered  with  an  assured  air. 
Gilbert  hastened  to  meet  Mm,  and  prevent  his  en- 
trance. 

"  Clear  out  of  here,  you  young  rascal !  "  he  said,  in 
a  tone  of  authority.     "  You're  not  wanted  here." 

"  I  've  come  on  business,"  said  Micky,  with  a  scowl 
of  dislike,  showing  no  intention  of  retreating. 

"  I  have  no  business  with  you,"  said  Gilbert. 

"  Perhaps  you  haven't,"  said  Micky,  "  but  Mr. 
Rockwell  has." 

"Mr.  Rockwell  will  have  nothing  to  say  to  a 
vagabond  like  you." 


268  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;  On,    THE 

'<  He  told  me  to  come,"  said  Micky,  resolutely, 
"  and  I  shan't  go  till  I've  seen  him." 

Gilbert  did  not  believe  this,  but  suspected  that 
Micky  intended  to  betray  him,  and  to  this  of  course 
he  had  a  decided  objection. 

"Go  out!"  he  said,  imperiously,  "  or  I'll  make 
you." 

"  I  won't  then,"  said  Micky,  defiantly. 

"  We'll  see  about  that." 

Gilbert  seized  him  by  the  shoulders  ;  but  Micky  was 
accustomed  to  fighting,  and  made  a  vigorous  resist- 
ance. In  the  midst  of  the  fracas  Mr.  Rockwell  came 
up. 

"  What  does  this  mean?"  he  demanded,  in  a  quiet 
but  authoritative  tone. 

"  This  young  rascal  has  attempted  to  force  his  way 
in,"  said  the  book-keeper,  desisting,  and  with  a 
flushed  face. 

"  I  asked  to  see  you,"  said  Micky,  "  and  he  said  I 
shouldn't." 

"  I  told  him"  to  come,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell.  "  You 
may  come  into  the  counting-room,  Michael.  Mr. 
Gilbert,  I  should  like  your  presence  also." 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  269 

In  surprise,  not  unmingled  with  foreboding,  Mr. 
Gilbert  followed  his  emplo}rer  and  Micky  Maguire 
into  the  counting-room. 

"  Mr.  Gilbert,"  commenced  Mr.  Rockwell,  "  are  you 
acquainted  with  this  boy?" 

"  He  blacked  my  boots  on  one  occasion,"  said  the 
book-keeper  ;"I  know  no  more  of  him  except  that  he 
is  a  young  vagabond  and  a  thief."  * 

"  Who  hired  me  to  steal  ?  "  retorted  Micky. 

"  I  don't  think  you  would  need  any  hiring,"  said 
Gilbert,  with  a  sneer. 

Micky  was  about  to  retort  in  no  choice  terms,  but 
Mr.  Rockwell  signed  to  him  to  be  -silent. 

"  This  boy  has  made  a  charge  against  you,  Mr. 
Gilbert,"  he  said,  "  which  you  ought  to  be  made 
aware  of." 

"He  is  capable  of  any  falsehood,"  said  the  book- 
keeper ;  but  he  began  to  be  nervous. 

"  I  thought  your  acquaintance  with  him  was  very 
slight." 

"So  it  is ;  but  it  is  easy  to  judge  from  his  looks 
what  he  is." 

"  That  is  not  always  a  safe  guide.  But  to  the  charge. 


270  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

He  asserts  that  you  hired  hirn  to  fix  the  charge  of 
theft  upon  Richard,  on  account  of  your  dislike  to  him." 

"  So  he  did,  and  all  he  give  me  was  a  dollar,"  said 
Micky,  aggrieved.     "  That  was  mean." 

"  Do  you  believe  this  story?  "  asked  Gilbert,  turn- 
ing to  Mr.  Rockwell. 

"  I  know  that  you  dislike  Richard,  Mr.  Gilbert." 

"  So  I  do.  He's  artful  and  bad ;  but  you'll  find 
him  out  some  day." 

"I  don't  think  you  do  him  justice.  Artful  is  the 
very  last  word  I  should  apply  to  him." 

"  You  may  be  deceived." 

"  If  I  am,  I  shall  never  put  confidence  in  any  boj 
again.  But  you  haven't  answered  the  charge,  Mr. 
Gilbert." 

"  It  isn't  worth  answering,"  said  the  book-keeper, 
scornfully. 

"  Still,  I  would  be  glad  to  have  you  give  an  answer 
>ne  way  or  the  other,"  persisted  Mr.  Rockwell. 

"  Then  it's  a  lie,  of  course." 

"  It's  true,"  said  Micky. 

"  I  hope  you  consider  my  word  as  of  more  value 
Chan  this  vagabond's,"  said  Gilbert,  contemptuously. 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  271 

"  "Why  were  you  so  anxious  to  prevent  his  entering, 
Mr.  Gilbert?" 

"  I  didn't  see  what  business  he  could  possibly  have 
here." 

"  Michael,  will  you  give  an  account  of  all  that  has 
taken  place  between  Mr.  Gilbert  and  yourself  ?  I  do 
not  yet  feel  satisfied." 

"Mr.  Rockwell,"  said  Gilbert,  in  a  passion,  "I  do 
not  choose  to  submit  to  the  insulting  investigation 
you  propose.  My  month  is  out  next  Thursday  ;  I  beg 
leave  to  resign  ni}'  situation." 

"  Your  resignation  is  accepted,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell 
quietly. 

"  If  it  is  convenient  to  you,  I  should  like  to  leave 
at  once,"  said  the  book-keeper,  livid  with  passion. 

"  As  you  please,"  said  his  employer.  "  Your  salary 
shall  be  paid  up  to  the  end  of  the  month." 

To  this  Gilbert  offered  no  opposition.  The  balance 
of  his  salary  was  paid  him,  and  he  left  the  warehouse 
in  a  very  unpleasant  frame  of  mind,  much  to  the 
gratification  of  Micky  Maguire,  who  felt  that  his  ven- 
geance was  complete. 

"  Now,  Michael,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell,"  I  must  see 


272  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

what  I  can  do  for  jon.  Do  you  wish  to  give  up  your 
present  business  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Micky,  "  I  don't  like  it." 

"  I  can  give  you  a  situation  as  errand-boy  in  my 
own  employ,"  said  Mr.  Eockwell.  "  My  head  clerk 
will  explain  your  duties." 

"  What  wages  will  I  get?"  asked  Micky,  anxiously. 

"  For  the  present  you  shall  have  a  dollar  a  da}r,  or 
six  dollars  a  week.  I  will  besides  give  you  a  new 
suit  of  clothes.    Will  that  suit  you?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Micky,  feeling  as  if  he  had  unexpect- 
edly become  heir  to  a  fortune.    "  When  will  I  begin?  " 

"  To-morrow  if  you  like.  Come  here  this  afternoon 
at  three,  and  I  will  send  Richard  with  you  to  a  cloth- 
ing-house." 

Just  then  Dick,  who  had  been  to  the  post-office, 
entered,  and  Mr.  Rockwell  in  a  few  words  informed 
him  of  the  changes  that  had  taken  place. 

"  I  believe  j^ou  and"  Michael  haven't  been  very  good 
friends,"  he  added ;  "  but  I  trust  you  will  get  over 

that." 
Dick  promptly  offered  his  hand  to  his  old  enemy. 
"  I  am  glad  you  are  coming  here,  Micky,"  he  said 


PROGRESS   OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  273 

"  I'll  do  all  I  cau  to  help  you  on,  and  if  we  are  not 
good  friends  it  won't  be  rnjr  fault." 

"Do  you  mean  that,  Dick?"  said  Micky,  almost 
incredulous. 

»  Yes,  I  do." 

"I've  acted  mean  by  you  more'n  once." 

"  If  you  have,  it's  all  over  now,"  said  Dick. 
"  There's   no  use  in   remembering  it." 

"You're  a  good  fellow,  Dick,"  said  Mick}7,  "an'  I 
ought  to  have  known  it  before." 

Dick  was  gratified  by  this  testimony  from  one  who 
for  3Tears  had  been  his  active  opponent,  and  he  deter- 
mined to  help  Micky  to  turn  over  the  new  leaf  which 
was  to  bear  a  very  different  record  from  the  old  one. 

When  Micky  had  gone  out,  Mr.  Rockwell  said, 
"  Well,  Richard,  I  have  lost  my  book-keeper." 

"Yes,  sir,"  said  Dick. 

"And  I  can't  say  I  am  sorry.  I  will  do  Mr.  Gil- 
bert the  justice  to  say  that  he  understood  his  busi- 
ness ;  but  he  was  personally  disagreeable,  and  I  never 
liked  him.  Now  I  suppose  I  must  look  out  for  a 
successor." 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  suppose  so." 

18 


274  FAME  AND   FORTUNE;    OR,    THE 

"  I  know  a  very  competent  book-keeper,  who  is  in- 
tending to  go  into  business  for  himself  at  the  expira- 
tion of  six  months.  Until  that  time  I  can  secure 
his  services.  Now,  I  have  a  plan  in  view  which  I 
think  you  will  approve.  You  shall  at  once  commence 
the  study  of  book-keeping  in  a  commercial  school  in 
the  evening,  and  during  the  day  I  will  direct  Mr. 
Haley  to  employ  you  as  his  assistant.  I  think  in 
that  way  you  will  be  able  to  succeed  him  at  the  end 
of  his  term." 

Dick  was  completely  taken  by  surprise.  The 
thought  that  he,  so  recently  plying  the  trade  of  a 
boot-black  in  the  public  streets,  could  rise  in  six 
months  to  the  responsible  post  of  a  book-keeper  in  a 
large  wholesale  house,  seemed  almost  incredible. 

"I  should  like  nothing  better,"  he  said,  his  eyes 
sparkling  with  delight,  "  if  you  really  think  I  could 
discharge  the  duties  satisfactorily." 

"  I  think  you  could.  I  believe  you  have  the  abil- 
ity, and  of  your  fidelity  1  feel  assured." 

"Thank  you,  sir;  yon  are  very  kind  to  me,"  said 
Dick,  gratefully. 

"  I  have  reason  to  be,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell,  taking 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  275 

his  hand.  "  Under  God  it  is  to  your  courage  that  I 
owe  the  life  of  my  dear  boy.  I  shall  never  forget  it. 
One  thing  more.  I  intend  Michael  to  undertake 
most  of  your  present  duties,  such  as  going  to  the 
post-office,  etc.     Do  you  think  he  will  answer?  " 

"  I  think  so,"  said  Dick.  "He  has  been  a  rough 
customer,  but  then  he  has  never  had  a  chance.  I  be- 
lieve in  giving  everybody  a  chance." 

"So  do  I,"  said  Mr.  Rockwell.  "Michael  shall 
have  his  chance.     Let  us  hope  he  will  improve  it." 

There  are  many  boys,  and  men  too,  who,  like  Micky 
Maguire,  have  never  had  a  fair  chance  in  life.  Let 
us  remember  that,  when  we  judge  them,  and  not  be 
too  hasty  to  condemn.  Let  us  consider  also  whether 
it  is  not  in  our  power  to  give  some  one  the  chance 
that  may  redeem  him. 

That  afternoon  Micky  Maguire  was  provided  with 
a  new  suit  of  clothes,  of  which  he  felt  very  proud. 
The  next  morning,  on  his  way  to  the  post-office,  he 
fell  in  with  his  old  confederate,  Limpy  Jim,  who  re- 
garded him  with  a  glance  of  the  most  bewildering 
surprise. 

"  It  aint  you,  Micky,  —  is  it  ?  "  he  asked,  cautious- 


27G  FAME   AND   FORTUNE;    OE,    THE 

ly,  surveying  his  old  comrade's  neat  appearance. 
"When  did  you  come  back  from  the  Island?" 

"  Shut  up  about  the  Island,  'Jim,"  said  Micky. 
"Do  I  look  as  if  I  had  been  there?" 

"  You  look  nobby,"  said  Jim.  "  Where's  your 
brush?" 

"  I've  give  up  the  blackin'  business,"  said  Micky. 

"You  have?  What  are  you  going  to  do?  Sell 
papers  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Micky,  consequentially.  "  I'm  in 
business   on  Pearl  Street." 

"  Why,"  said  Limpy  Jim,  surprised,  "  that's  where 
that  upstart  Ragged  Dick  works." 

"  He  aint  an  upstart,  an'  he  aint  ragged,"  said 
Micky.  "  He's  a  friend  of  mine,  an'  if  you  insult 
him,  I'll  lam'  ye." 

"  O  my  eyes  ! "  ejaculated  Jim,  opening  the  organs 
of  vision  to  a  very  wide  extent ;  "  that's  the  biggest 
joke  I  ever  heerd  of." 

"  You'll  hear  of  a  bigger  one  pretty  quick,"  said 
Micky,  rolling  up  his  sleeves,  and  squaring  off  scien- 
tifically. 

Limpy  Jim,  who  had  a  respect  for  Micky's  prow- 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  277 

ess,  incontinently  fled,  surveying  Micky  from  a  safe 
distance,  with  a  look  in  which  surprise  seemed  to 
mingle  with  incredulity. 

It  may  seem  strange,  but,  from  that  time  forth, 
Dick  had  no  firmer  friend  than  Micky  Maguire,  who, 
I  am  glad  to  say,  though  occasionally  waj^ward,  im- 
proved vastly,  and  became  a  useful  employe  of  the 
establishment  which  he  had  entered.  Of  course  both 
in  ability  and  education,  though  in  the  last  he  gained 
considerably,  he  was  quite  inferior  to  Dick ;  but  he 
was  advanced  as  he  grew  older  to  the  position  of 
porter,  where  his  strength  stood  him  in  good  stead. 
His  pay  increased  also,  and  through  Dick's  influence 
he  was  saved  from  vicious  habits,  and  converted  from 
a  vagabond  to  a  useful  member  of  society. 

And  now,  almost  with  regret,  I  find  myself  closing 
up  the  record  of  Dick's  chequered  career.  The  past 
with  its  trials  is  over ;  the  future  expands  before 
him,  a  bright  vista  of  merited  success.  But  it  re- 
mains for  me  to  justify  the  title  of  my  story,  and 
show  how  Dick  acquired  "Fame  and  Fortune."  I 
can  only  hint  briefly  at  the  steps  that  led  to  them. 

In  six  months,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  Dick  sue- 


278  FAME  AND  FORTUNE;   OR,    THE 

ceecled  to  Mr.  Gilbert's  place  with  a  salary,  to  com- 
mence with,  of  one  thousand  dollars.  To  this  an 
annual  increase  was  made,  making  his  income  at 
twenty-one,  fourteen  hundred  dollars.  Just  about 
that  time  he  had  an  opportunity  to  sell  his  up-town 
lots,  to  a  gentleman  who  had  taken  a  great  fancy  to 
them,  for  five  times  the  amount  he  paid,  or  five  thou- 
sand dollars.  His  savings  from  his  salary  amounted 
to  about  two  thousand  dollars  more. 

Meanwhile  Mr.  Rockwell's  partner,  Mr.  Cooper, 
from  ill  health  felt  obliged  to  withdraw  from  business, 
and  Richard,  to  his  unbounded  astonishment  and 
gratification,  was  admitted  to  the  post  of  junior 
partner,  embarking  the  capital  he  had  already  accu- 
mulated, and  receiving  a  corresponding  share  of  the 
profits.  These  were  so  large  that  Richard  was  able 
to  increase  his  interest  yearly  by  investing  his  addi- 
tional savings,  and  three  years  later  he  felt  justified 
in  offering  his  hand  to  Ida  Greyson,  whose  partiality 
to  Dick  had  never  wavered.  He  was  no  longer  Rag- 
ged Dick  now,  but  Mr.  Richard  Hunter,  junior  part- 
ner in  the  large  firm  of  Rockwell  &  Hunter.  Mr. 
Greyson  felt  that  even  in  a  worldly  way  Dick  was> 


PROGRESS    OF  RICHARD   HUNTER.  279 

a  good  match  for  his  daughter ;  but  he  knew  and 
valued  still  more  his  good  heart  and  conscientious 
fidelity  to  duty,  and  excellent  principles,  and  cheer- 
fully gave  his  consent.  Last  week  I  read  Dick's 
marriage  in  the  papers,  and  rejoiced  in  his  new  hopes 
of  happiness. 

So  Dick  has  achieved  Fame  and  Fortune,  —  the 
fame  of  an  honorable  and  enterprising  man  of  busi- 
ness, and  a  fortune  which  promises  to  be  very  large. 
But  I  am  glad  to  say  that  Dick  has  not  been  spoiled 
by  prosperity.  He  never  forgets  his  humble  begin- 
nings, and  tries  to  show  his  sense  of  God's  goodness 
by  extending  a  helping  hand  to  the  poor  and  needy 
boys,  whose  trials  and  privations  he  understands  well 
from  his  own  past  experience.  I  propose  in  my  next 
story  to  give  an  account  of  one  of  these  boys,  and 
shall  take  the  opportunity  to  give  further  information 
in  regard  to  some  of  the  characters  introduced  in  this 
volume.  This  story,  the  third  in  the  Eagged  Dick 
series,  will  be  entitled 

Mark,  the  Match  Boy  ; 

OR, 

Eichard  Hunter's  Ward. 


